French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe resigns along with ministers
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe resigns along with ministers

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has resigned along with the government, the presidential palace announced on Friday. A new PM will be named “within hours”.

On Friday morning Philippe presented his resignation and that of his government, which was accepted by the president, the Elysée Palace said on Friday.

No reason was given in the short statement, but a cabinet shuffle had been widely expected after President Emmanuel Macron vowed to chart a new course for the last two years of his term.

The government will continue to handle “day-to-day matters” until a new government is named, the presidency said.

In theory Macron could rename Philippe as his Prime Minister and task him with forming a new government, but the Elysée said “a new PM will be announced in the coming hours”. Sources have told AFP Philippe was definitely leaving his post.

Philippe’s popularity among the French public had been rising in recent weeks in contrast to that of Macron. A recent poll suggested 57 percent of the French wanted Philippe to stay on as PM. On Sunday he won re-election to his mayoral seat in the northern port town of Le Havre.