French environment minister quits live on air
Paris: The Reference
France's environment minister Nicolas Hulot
announced his resignation during a live radio interview on Tuesday, citing his
disapproval of government policies and efforts to tackle climate change.
His departure comes as a blow to Macron, who
appointed him in May 2017. Hulot said he had not warned President Emmanuel
Macron's government or Prime Minister Edouard Philippe prior to announcing his
resignation.
Hulot
cited government failure on pesticides, biodiversity and soil as key reasons
behind his decision to resign, his resignation come in frustration over
sluggish progress on climate goals and nuclear energy policy, dealing a major
blow to President Emmanuel Macron’s already tarnished green credentials.
Hulot was among Macron’s first ministerial
appointments following his May 2017 election victory. His inclusion helped to
sustain a green image France had earned 18 months earlier by brokering the
Paris Agreement to combat global greenhouse emissions.
