Moments ago, it was announced that the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe resigned ahead of a government reshuffle by President Emmanuel Macron designed to bolster his green credentials and win back disillusioned voters ahead of a possible re-election bid, Reuters reported.
The Elysee Palace said in a statement that "Philippe would handle government affairs until a new cabinet was named."
Philippe’s position has been in question since mid-June when Macron declared he wanted to “reinvent” his presidency and his centrist government in France.
According to Reuters, in French government reshuffles, the prime minister tenders his or her resignation ahead of cabinet appointments but can still be re-named to the position.
It was not immediately clear whether Philippe would be called upon to form the new government.
Macron’s move comes after voters punished the former investment banker and his party in nationwide municipal elections held days ago.
The results of the elections revealed surging support for the Green party and underlined Macron’s troubles with left-leaning voters. The only positive result for Macron was Philippe’s own victory in the northern port city of Le Havre.
With only 21 months until the next presidential election, Macron wants to reposition himself, according to close advisers.
"It would be a political gamble for Macron to replace Philippe, who is more popular with the public than the president," Reuters quoted political analysts. The prime minister has shown steadfast loyalty during waves of unrest and could emerge as a presidential rival in 2022.
But keeping Philippe in office could be problematic too for Macron who might fear to be seen as too weak to let go of his prime minister and that his young party lacked the depth to allow for a full-blooded cabinet overhaul.
Moreover, Macron poached Philippe from the centre-right opposition and holding onto him would complicate winning back leftist voters.
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