French Prime Minister resigns months before European elections

French Prime Minister Elizabeth Byrne has submitted her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, the Elysee Palace announced today on Monday.

It comes as Macron seeks to inject new impetus into his second term ahead of European parliamentary elections and the Olympics, which Paris will host this summer.

In December, Macron promised new political initiatives, sparking speculation about a government reshuffle. In 2023, the controversial reforms triggered a political crisis.

In recent months, Macron's government has implemented some unpopular reforms, such as pension files or controversial immigration laws, that have created deep divisions in his camp.

The rise of right-wing groups

Macron, meanwhile, faces the rise of the far-right National Rally party, which leads opinion polls in next June's European elections and whose leader Marine Le Pen finished third in the 2017 presidential election. Second, fall behind Macron in 2022.

Macron hosted Bourne last night on Sunday to discuss “important issues,” the Elysee Palace reported. Macron's office said the discussions focused on flooding in northern France and the cold snap the country is awaiting, but observers said they discussed a widely expected ministerial reshuffle.

Under the French system, the President of the Republic sets overall policy, but the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day management of the government.

Born will be president of the French government from mid-May 2022. It is not yet clear when France will form a new government or who will serve as president.