Macron left the post in order “to dedicate himself entirely to his political movement”, the presidency said, referring to the “En Marche” (On the Move) campaign, which he founded in April. (In Motion) that he presents as neither right- nor left-wing.
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It remains unclear if Emmanuel Macron would now present his candidacy for the French presidency next year.
“Today I want to start a new step and build a project to serve the common good”, Macron said in a news conference.
Macron ranks in polls just behind Juppe, but analysts say that popularity may not equal votes.
France’s Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron has resigned from government.
Mr Macron, 38, argues that France needs change to stay competitive internationally.
While Macron’s resignation clears the way for a presidential bid, it is unclear how wide the appeal really is of such a young man who has never held elected office.
Though Macron was briefly a member of the Socialist Party from 2006 to 2009, he has sought to keep his distance during his time in Hollande’s administration.
“In any case, a key minister of (President Francois) Hollande’s government leaving in the last moments of the 5-year term can be seen as a sign of disorder”, Dabi said.
Macron announced his resignation to his staff on Tuesday afternoon after informing President Francois Hollande Monday morning.
Speaking last month in front of his supporters, Macron vowed to lead the movement “to 2017 and to victory”, giving a hint about his presidential ambitions.
Macron has been a controversial and outspoken figure since joining the government in 2014.
A former Rothschild investment banker, he has attacked some of the central pillars of the French socialist social model, such as the 35-hour working week.
Responding to criticism from within the Socialist Party past year, he said: “If approval was a criterion in this country, nothing would ever get done”. Traditionally pro-Socialist labor groups opposed the plan to dilute France’s famously stringent workplace protections. Then a relative unknown, he went on to introduce reforms such as allowing shops to open more often on Sundays.
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The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development forecasts France economy to expand 1.4 percent this year.
