The French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, resigned on Friday as President Emmanuel Macron prepared to reshuffle his government in a widely expected relaunch of his presidency for the final two years of his term. The president is expected to appoint a new prime minister who will form a new government later on Friday. Various names have been put forward as possible successors to Mr Philippe. The regional newspaper Ouest-France suggested that the chief EU Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, was being considered. However, sources in Mr Macron’s party said Mr Barnier was unlikely to be asked to form the next government. There has also been speculation that Jean-Yves Le Drian, the foreign minister, may be asked to lead the government. Other possible successors to Mr Philippe is Florence Parly, the defence minister, or Jean Castex, the conservative mayor of Prades in southern France, who has taken charge of the lifting of France’s lockdown. The widely expected reshuffle comes after a wave of Green local election victories humiliated Mr Macron’s party. In an interview with French newspapers published on Friday Mr Macron said he would prioritise the fight against climate change.
