C'est officiel, Gérard Collomb n'est plus le ministre de l'Intérieur. Le communiqué de l'Elysée est tombé vers minuit et demi : Emmanuel Macron a « accepté la démission de Gérard Collomb et demandé au Premier ministre Édouard Philippe d'assurer son intérim dans l'attente de la nomination de son successeur » place Beauvau.

« Le Conseil des ministres », mercredi à partir de 10 heures, se déroulera « avec le gouvernement ainsi constitué », a ajouté la présidence.

Un conseil des ministres avec Édouard Philippe, Premier ministre et ministre de l'Intérieur par intérim

Gérard Collomb, ministre d'Etat, n° 2 du gouvernement, avait remis sa démission pour la deuxième fois en 48 heures mardi afin de « revenir à Lyon » pour reprendre la mairie de la capitale des Gaules. L'actuel maire de Lyon a d'ailleurs présenté sa démission afin de permettre à Gérard Collomb de retrouver son siège d'édile. Un vote du conseil municipal suffira désormais pour cela.

Le départ de Gérard Collomb bouscule les agendas. Le Premier ministre, Édouard Philippe, qui devait se rendre en Afrique du Sud les 4 et 5 octobre, a donc annulé son déplacement.</s>President Emmanuel Macron of France has been forced to accept the resignation of his interior minister’s and early ally Gerard Collomb.

Collomb, 71, a former Socialist party stalwart who became one of Macron’s most eager backers, had earlier said he wanted to resign so he could run for election as mayor of his hometown Lyon.

“The French people and the people of Lyon need clarity so I maintain my offer to resign,” Collomb responded, when asked whether he would stay on as interior minister after Macron initially turned down his resignation on Monday.

“Considering the rumours and the pressure I don’t want the fact I will be a candidate somewhere tomorrow to affect the way forward for the interior ministry,” Collomb said.

Late on Tuesday, Macron’s office said the president had accepted Collomb’s resignation and the prime minister, Edouard Philippe, would assume his responsibilities until a replacement was found. Philippe reportedly cancelled a trip to South Africa.

Collomb’s comments were seen by critics as an unprecedented challenge to Macron’s authority, coming a few weeks after the 40-year-old centrist was forced to replace his popular environment minister and the sports minister.

Two weeks ago Collomb announced plans via a newspaper interview to quit the government and run for mayor of Lyon in 2020, returning to a position he has previously held.

He initially indicated that he would resign after European elections in May 2019. But opposition rivals said the comments undermined his legitimacy as the head of one of the most sensitive portfolios in France where Islamist militants have killed hundreds of people since 2012.

Collomb had in recent weeks been critical of Macron, speaking of a “lack of humility” in the president’s administration and dismissing expressions often used by Macron, such as “start-up nation”, as out of touch with common folk.

“Very few of us can still talk to [Macron],” Collomb was quoted by French media as telling a small group of journalists over lunch last month. “Soon he won’t put up with me any more. But if we all bow down before him he’ll end up isolated.”

A week ago presidential advisers said Macron had made clear to Collomb that the timing of his resignation would be decided by the president himself, who is regarded as running a tight ship with heavy demands on time and loyalty.

Macron’s approval ratings have plunged to about 30%, from around 60% shortly after he was elected in May 2017. Critics have said his policies favour the rich and his personal manner is often described as aloof and arrogant.

Macron has said he is determined to do whatever it takes to overhaul the French economy and introduce other social reforms to put the country on a stronger path.</s>French interior minister to step down in another blow to Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron refused to accept the resignation of his interior minister Monday, in the latest sign of uncertainty at the heart of the government after two high profile cabinet ministers stepped down.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, viewed as one of Macron's most loyal ministers and a heavyweight in his cabinet, has been under pressure to relinquish his post immediately since he announced in September that he would quit the ministry to run for his old job as mayor of Lyon in eastern France in 2020.

"In the face of attacks on the minister since he confirmed he would be a candidate, when the time comes, to be mayor of Lyon, the President of the Republic renewed his confidence in him and asked him to remain fully mobilized in his mission to keep France secure," the presidency told AFP.

Collomb, 71, previously served as Lyon mayor for 16 years until Macron poached him for the interior ministry, and it has long been rumored that he was eyeing a fourth term running the city.

According to French newspaper La Figaro he tendered his resignation Monday.

The upset comes just weeks after Macron's popular environment minister Nicolas Hulot quit, followed by a second popular member of the cabinet, former Olympic fencing champion Laura Flessel, who resigned as sports minister.

Macron, 40, came to power promising to clean up politics and revive France's sputtering economy.

But over a year into his term polls suggest the French starting to sour on the energetic centrist, with his approval ratings diving in recent weeks.</s>Emmanuel Macron’s grip on the French presidency looked increasingly shambolic on Wednesday after he was forced to accept the resignation overnight of his interior minister, one of his staunchest allies.

In the latest humiliating blow to France's centrist president, who is facing a nightmarish return from the summer recess, Gérard Collomb, 71, left the interior ministry on foot on Wednesday morning just 24 hours after Mr Macron had refused to allow his once loyal ally to quit.

He was officially replaced by Edouard Philippe, the prime minister.

Mr Collomb, one of the pillars of the Macron administration, had previously let it be known that he planned to leave the interior ministry next May to run for his old job as mayor of the city of Lyon.

But he came under pressure to step down immediately as critics argued it was untenable to run such a powerful ministry while preparing for the campaign trail.

"Considering the rumours and the pressure, I don't want the fact I will be a candidate somewhere tomorrow to affect the way forward for the interior ministry," he said.

His announcement setting the countdown to his departure had already been seen as a direct challenge to the authority of Mr Macron, some 31-years his junior and who Mr Collomb has previously said was like a son to him. Under the French constitution, the president names and removes ministers upon instructions from the premier, not the ministers themselves.</s>PARIS (Reuters) - Interior Minister Gerard Collomb issued a direct challenge to French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, telling a newspaper he wanted to step down despite the president having rejected his resignation less than 24 hours earlier.

Collomb, 71, a former Socialist party stalwart who became one of Macron’s earliest and most eager backers, told the conservative Le Figaro newspaper he wanted to resign so he could run for election as mayor of his hometown Lyon.

“The French people and the people of Lyon need clarity, so I maintain my offer to resign,” Collomb responded when asked whether he would stay on as interior minister now that Macron had turned down his resignation.

“Considering the rumours and the pressure, I don’t want the fact I will be a candidate somewhere tomorrow to affect the way forward for the interior ministry,” he said.

The comments were seen by critics as an unprecedented challenge to Macron’s authority, coming just weeks after the 40-year-old centrist was forced to replace his both his popular environment minister and the sports minister.

Two weeks ago, Collomb announced plans via a newspaper interview to quit the government and run for mayor of Lyon in 2020, returning to a position he has held before.

He initially indicated he would resign after European elections in May 2019. But opposition rivals said the comments undermined his legitimacy as the head of one of the most sensitive portfolios in France, where Islamist militants have killed hundreds of people since 2012.

An official at the Elysee Palace said Macron had asked Prime Minister Edouard Philippe for a list of names to replace Collomb, suggesting the interior minister would not stay much longer.

Collomb had in recent weeks been critical of Macron, speaking of a “lack of humility” in the president’s administration and dismissing expressions often used by Macron, such as “start-up nation”, as out of touch with common folk.

Only a week ago, presidential advisers said Macron had made clear to Collomb that the timing of his resignation would be decided by the president himself, who is regarded as running a tight ship with heavy demands on time and loyalty.

Macron’s approval ratings have plunged to about 30 percent, from around 60 percent shortly after he was elected in May 2017. Critics say his policies favour the rich and his personal manner is often described as aloof and arrogant.

Macron has said he is determined to do whatever it takes to overhaul the French economy and introduce other social reforms to put the country on a stronger path.</s>French interior minister quits in new blow to Macron

PARIS (AP) — France's President Emmanuel Macron has formally accepted his high-profile interior minister's resignation a day after he said he wanted to keep him in the government, in the latest blow to his administration.

Gerard Collomb, 71, reiterated his decision to resign in the French newspaper Le Figaro Tuesday. The comments appeared as a tug of war between the centrist president and his close political ally.

The French presidency said Macron asked Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to be temporarily in charge of the interior ministry until Collomb's successor is appointed. A weekly Cabinet meeting is scheduled on Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday, an official at the French presidency said Macron regrets Collomb's decision and considers him to be a friend. He spoke anonymously in line with the presidency's customary practice.

On Monday, Macron's office said the leader rejected Collomb's resignation.

Yet Collomb insisted on Tuesday: "Today, given rumors and pressures there might be, I don't want the fact that I'm a candidate somewhere to trouble the interior ministry," he said.

Earlier this month, Collomb expressed his intention to stand down so he could run as mayor of the city of Lyon in spring 2020. He initially said that he would resign next year to start campaigning.

The announcement prompted criticism from opposition leaders from the right and the left, saying the interior minister should be focused on his job rather than getting ready to campaign for another position.

An experienced politician as mayor of Lyon for 16 years, Collomb became Macron's key ally when he left the Socialist Party to join his centrist, pro-European presidential bid. He was holding one of the most senior positions in the Cabinet, supervising the fight against extremism on French territory.

The news comes as Macron reached record low in polls since his election in May 2017.

Last month, popular environment minister Nicolas Hulot, a former TV personality, unexpectedly announced his resignation, pointing at the government's slow pace of progress on green issues.

Macron was recently criticized by political rivals as being arrogant and out of touch with the people when he told a young unemployed gardener this month he could find a job in a restaurant just by "crossing the street."

He also struggled for weeks amid a major scandal over his former security aide that erupted in July when the man was identified in a video as acting violently toward a protester while wearing police equipment.</s>PARIS — France's high-profile interior minister Gerard Collomb has insisted he wants to resign, a day after President Emmanuel Macron's office said the leader refused his resignation and wanted to keep him in government.

Collomb, 71, reiterated Tuesday his decision in French newspaper Le Figaro. An official at the French presidency said Macron will quickly replace him. Collomb's resignation has not been formalized yet.

The official said Macron regrets Collomb's decision and considers him as his friend.

He spoke anonymously in line with the presidency's customary practice.

Earlier this month, Collomb expressed his intention to stand down so he could run as mayor of the city of Lyon in spring 2020.</s>French prime minister Edouard Philippe has assumed responsibility for France’s domestic security after the interior minister resigned in an apparent act of defiance towards President Emmanuel Macron.

French prime minister Edouard Philippe has assumed responsibility for France’s domestic security after the interior minister resigned in an apparent act of defiance towards President Emmanuel Macron.

In a cold handover ceremony, Mr Philippe said his main focus would be to ensure “the highest security level” in the country.

Mr Philippe is in charge until Gerard Collomb’s successor is appointed.

Mr Macron accepted Mr Collomb’s resignation late on Tuesday, after initially refusing it the previous day.

Mr Collomb insisted he wanted to leave to be able to run for mayor of the city of Lyon in 2020.

The 71-year-old was one of Mr Macron’s closest political allies.

His decision comes amid a string of bad news events for the French president, who has reached record low popularity in polls since his election in May 2017.</s>France's Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of his interior minister, the Elysee Palace said Wednesday, in the latest blow to the president who had earlier refused to allow his loyal ally to quit.

Gerard Collomb, who had been seen as one of Macron's most robust defenders, had indicated two weeks ago that he intended to step down next year, but he came under increasing pressure and made an initial attempt to resign Monday, only to be rebuffed by the president.

In an announcement early Wednesday the Elysee confirmed that Macron had accepted a fresh bid to quit from Collomb.

The president has "accepted the resignation of Gerard Collomb and asked the prime minister to act in his place until the announcement of a successor", it said in a statement.

Collomb, a political heavyweight, had previously announced that he planned to run for his old job as mayor of the city of Lyon.

He said he would stay on as minister until European elections in May, but came under pressure to step down immediately as critics complained that his priorities had already turned to the campaign trail.

Late Monday, Macron's office said the president had vetoed his resignation attempt, insisting on "his confidence" in the 71-year-old.

But Collomb on Tuesday had said he still intended to quit, throwing the French political establishment into confusion.

"Gerard Collomb has resigned again. How long is this sketch going to last?" tweeted far-right leader Marine Le Pen Tuesday.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a trip to South Africa planned for Thursday and Friday after being asked to step in, his office said.

Under the French constitution, the president names and removes ministers upon instructions from the premier.

Collomb has previously compared his relationship with Macron, 31 years his junior, to that of a father and son. He wept during Macron's inauguration in May 2017.

But their relationship is reported to have soured this summer over a scandal surrounding Macron's former security aide Alexandre Benalla.

The former bodyguard was filmed roughing up protesters while wearing a police helmet, and a vast political scandal blew up when it emerged that senior officials knew about it.

Appearing at a parliamentary inquiry, Collomb had pointed blame at Macron's office, saying it was their responsibility to report the incident to prosecutors.

Collomb previously served as Lyon mayor for 16 years until Macron poached him for the interior ministry, and it had long been rumoured that he was eyeing a fourth term running the eastern city.

His looming departure adds to a pile of woes for Macron, whose approval ratings are languishing at around 34 percent.

The former investment banker came to power at the head of a new centrist party promising to clean up politics and revive France's sputtering economy.

But his government has been forced to cut its growth forecast to a lacklustre 1.6 percent this year as his pro-business reforms struggle to have the desired effect.

The upset over Collomb comes just weeks after Macron's popular environment minister Nicolas Hulot, a TV star, quit live on air without warning the president first.

He was swiftly followed by another popular member of the cabinet, former Olympic fencing champion Laura Flessel, who resigned as sports minister for "personal reasons".</s>French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday asked his prime minister for names to replace Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, whose resignation Macron had turned down less than 24 hours earlier, a presidency official said.

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday asked his prime minister for names to replace Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, whose resignation Macron had turned down less than 24 hours earlier, a presidency official said.

Collomb, a former Socialist party stalwart who became one of Macron's earliest backers in his presidential campaign, told Le Figaro newspaper on Tuesday he still wanted to step down to run for mayor of the city of Lyon.
French President Emmanuel Macron accepts the resignation of Minister of the Interior Gérard Collomb.