Macron turns down interior minister's resignation

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

French president Emmanuel Macron has turned down the resignation the of Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on Monday, French media reported on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, Collomb, 71, announced his plans to quit following European Parliament elections in May 2019 and said he was planning to run for the election as mayor of the city of Lyon in 2020 -- a post he held from 2001 to 2017.

However, Macron refused to accept the resignation of one of his closest allies, daily Le Figaro reported on its website.

Collomb's move comes just weeks after two popular figures of Macron's government, Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot and Sports Minister Laura Flessel, the former Olympic fencing champion, quit.

Flessel said she resigned for personal reasons, while Hulot said he was disappointed with Macron, who did not do as much in terms of environmental policy as he had promised.

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

French president Emmanuel Macron has turned down the resignation the of Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on Monday, French media reported on Tuesday.

However, Macron refused to accept the resignation of one of his closest allies, daily Le Figaro reported on its website.

Collomb's move comes just weeks after two popular figures of Macron's government, Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot and Sports Minister Laura Flessel, the former Olympic fencing champion, quit.

Flessel said she resigned for personal reasons, while Hulot said he was disappointed with Macron, who did not do as much in terms of environmental policy as he had promised.