Three Members of Macron’s Government Resign, Citing Desire to Stand in Forthcoming Elections

PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says three Cabinet ministers have resigned, including the European Affairs minister who plans to lead the campaign by Macron’s party for European Parliament seats.

The president said in a statement Wednesday that government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux and Digital Affairs minister Mounir Mahjoubi are leaving along with European Affairs minister Nathalie Loiseau.

Griveaux and Mahjoubi have said in interviews they want to run in next year’s mayoral race in Paris. The current mayor is Anne Hidalgo.

A government reshuffle is expected in the coming days.

Loiseau, a career diplomat, joined Macron’s government in June 2017 and was involved in France’s Brexit preparations. She will head the president’s pro-European Union party in the May EU parliament elections.

Griveaux has been government spokesman since November 2017. Mahjoubi became digital affairs minister in May 2017.