French Prime Minister Elizabeth Born has tendered her resignation, as confirmed by the French Presidency.
According to Reuters, this change in leadership follows a tumultuous year marked by political crises, spurred by controversial pension system reforms and immigration laws.
The resignation comes just five months ahead of the European Parliament elections, where eurosceptics are anticipated to perform well amidst widespread public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and the perceived failures of European governments to manage migration flows.
In France, public opinion polls show President Macron’s party trailing behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen by eight to ten percentage points. The possibility of a government reshuffle has been widely speculated in the weeks since the adoption of stricter immigration rules in parliament exposed deep divisions within President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist majority.
President Macron has pledged a new political initiative but has not immediately named a successor to the outgoing Prime Minister.
Photo: Service photo de Matignon – Benoît Granie