French Prime Minister resigns after widespread riots and a stormy two years

08 January 2024 , 18:03

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French Prime Minister resigns after widespread riots and a stormy two years

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned tonight after a stormy 20 months in office.

The 63-year-old said on Tuesday that she would act as a caretaker head of government until President Emmanuel Macron chooses a successor. It follows a series of legislative setbacks, and widespread disturbances including riots across France since Ms Borne came to office in May 2022.

A meeting lasting around an hour at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday ended with Ms Borne tending her resignation and Mr Macron accepted it. Mr Macron tweeted: "Madam Prime Minister, dear Elisabeth Borne, your work in the service of our nation has been exemplary every day. You implemented our project with the courage, commitment and determination of women of states. With all my heart, thank you."

Borne was the third Macron prime minister since he came to power in 2017, and only the the second woman to serve as prime minister. The first was Edith Cresson, who served under Socialist Prime Minister François Mitterrand from 1990 to 1991.

France is currently embroiled in a divisive debate over contentious immigration legislation, backed by Macron, aimed at strengthening Paris's ability to deport some foreigners, among other measures. Macron's government was defeated on a key piece of immigration legislation in December - seen by the public as a momentous crisis.

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French President Emmanuel Macron and his Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Concessions were made to right-wing opposition groups, which allowed the law to be eventually passed, but Macron's party is expected to be challenged in an upcoming poll. Ms Borne leaving office is thought to be the start of a major government reshuffle, with several key lawmakers tipped to replace her.

His government does not have a majority in parliament, and this has made the job of the Prime Minister extremely difficult. Opinion polls show Mr Macron's Renaissance Party is trailing far-right leader Marine Le Pen by around eight to ten points for the June EU election.

Among those cited as potential candidates to replace Borne are 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal and 37-year-old Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, either of whom would be France's youngest ever prime minister. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and former agriculture minister Julien Denormandie have also been mentioned by pundits as possible options.

Peter Allen