Express & Star

French sports minister quits in latest blow to Macron

Laura Flessel, a double Olympic gold medallist in fencing, said she had resigned for personal reasons.

Published
Last updated
Laura Flessel

France’s sports minister has quit in the latest blow to President Emmanuel Macron’s government, just a week after the environment minister unexpectedly announced his resignation.

Laura Flessel, a double Olympic gold medallist in fencing who was France’s flag bearer at the 2012 London Games, said she had resigned “for personal reasons”.

She said she made the decision after meeting prime minister Edouard Philippe, and that she still supports Mr Macron.

Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron (Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva/AP)

As sports minister, the 46-year-old was involved in France’s winning bid to host the 2024 Olympics and 2023 Rugby World Cup.

While former environment minister Nicolas Hulot lamented France’s slow pace of progress on green issues and his own lack of power to force change, Ms Flessel said she will remain “a faithful team-mate” of Mr Macron.

Roxana Maracineanu
Roxana Maracineanu (David Longstreath/AP)

Ms Flessel was replaced by Roxana Maracineanu, a former swimming world champion.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.