France Governments Resigns Over Coronavirus Economic Concerns

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – France was to name a new prime minister later Friday after Edouard Philippe and his cabinet resigned amid mounting concerns about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation.

French President Emmanuel Macron wants a new government to focus on efforts to relaunch the French economy. Philippe had been heading the cabinet for three turbulent years overseeing three significant crises.

Besides the coronavirus pandemic, he weathered the yellow vests protests against fuel taxes as well as severe living conditions, and he dealt with pension reforms.

Yet, Philippe’s resignation was a controversial move. Commentators claim the outgoing prime minister is more popular than the president who appoints the government.

PARTY WORRIES

But the governing La République En Marche ( 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 as voters punished the former investment banker and his party in the June 28 nationwide municipal elections.

SURGING GREEN

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.

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, on a population of more than 60-million.

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