French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe on Friday announced his resignation.
He resigned ahead of a government reshuffle by President Emmanuel Macron, expected to win back disillusioned voters ahead of a possible re-election bid.
The Elysee Palace in a statement on Friday said that Philippe would handle government affairs until a new cabinet is named.
In French government reshuffles, the prime minister tenders his or her resignation ahead of cabinet appointments but can still be re-named to the position.
It is however not clear if Philippe would be called upon to form the new government.
Macron’s move to refashion his centrist government comes after voters punished the former investment banker and his party in nationwide municipal elections, NAN reports.
The elections revealed surging support for the Green party and underlined Macron’s troubles with left-leaning voters.
Political analysts in the country are of the opinion that it will be a political gamble for Macron to replace Philippe, who is more popular with the public than the president.
The prime minister could emerge as a presidential rival in 2022.
