PARIS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- French interior minister Gerard Collomb, one of President Emmanuel Macron's main backers, on Tuesday reaffirmed his will to leave the government despite the Elysee's refusal, at a time when Macron is struggling to appease discontent people.
"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 told Le Figaro.
"The French people and the people of Lyon need clarity, so I maintain my offer to resign," Collomb added in an interview published on the daily's website.
On Monday, local media reported that Collomb presented his resignation to the president who refused.
Last month, the veteran socialist who joined the ruling camp in 2017, announced he would quit the government in mid 2019 to run for the upcoming municipal election in 2020.
Cited by local media, source close to the Elysee said Macron regretted that Collomb "put himself in a situation leading him to have to resign."
The president "keeps his friendship" with the minister and would receive "quickly" Prime Minister's proposals to replace him.
The 71-year-old minister served as Lyon mayor from 2001 to 2017. He had left his post to join Macron's government after he emerged winner in last presidential election.
His departure may further cloud the outlook of the 40-year-old head of state who is already on the hot seat due to unpopular reforms and resignation of two of most popular ministers a month ago.
According to Odoxa's recent poll, seven French people out of ten disapproved Macron, with all the categories of population thought he was not a good president.
"This is, of course, an absolute record of unpopularity of the President and it shows a vertiginous fall (of approval rating )in few months," the pollster said.
