France government resigns over
coronavirus economic concerns
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| French flags fly on the facade of a city hall |
France is to name a new prime minister later today, on
Friday, after Edouard Philippe and his cabinet resigned amid mounting concerns
about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation. His
successor will have to overcome growing public discontent with current
policies.
By Stefan J. Bos
There were numerous comings and goings of limousines and
well-dressed people at the famed Hôtel de Matignon, the official prime
minister's residence in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron wants a new government to
focus on efforts to relaunch the French economy deeply hit by the coronavirus
crisis.
That's why French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe tendered
his resignation Friday.
He had been heading the government for three turbulent years
when he oversaw three significant crises. Besides the coronavirus pandemic,
Phillippe weathered the yellow vests protests against fuel taxes as well as
severe living conditions, and he oversaw pension reforms.
Yet his resignation was a controversial move. Commentators
claim outgoing prime minister Philippe is more popular than the president who
appoints the government.
Party worries
But the governing La République En Marche or Republic on the
Move party had poor local election results over the weekend.
It hopes a new government will win back voters ahead of a
possible re-election bid by President Macron in 2022.
After their meeting, the president and prime minister agreed
that Philippe and his ministers would handle government affairs until a new
cabinet is named.
Macron's move to refashion his centrist government came after
voters punished the former investment banker and his party in the June
28 nationwide municipal elections.
Sunday's ballot revealed surging support for the Green party
and underlined President Macron's troubles with left-leaning voters.
The only bright spot for Macron was outgoing Prime Minister
Philippe's victory in the northern port city of Le Havre. The 49-year-old
Philippe is likely to become the mayor of Le Havre, his hometown in western
France.
Social tensions
With only 21 months until the next presidential election,
advisors make clear that President Macron wants to reposition himself.
It won't be easy amid social tensions.
The government earlier admitted that the French economy is
due to shrink a record 11 percent this year because of the coronavirus
crisis.
That is worse than the government's previous forecast of an
8 percent contraction.
Officials have linked nearly 30,000 deaths to the
coronavirus pandemic in France.
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