French Government Confirms Talks With Cohn-Bendit Over Assuming Ecology Minister's Post

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd September, 2018) The French government holds regular contacts with former member of the European Parliament Daniel Cohn-Bendit as a possible candidate to assume the post of Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, spokesman for the government Benjamin Griveaux said on Sunday.

Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot on Tuesday announced his resignation over the lack of progress on the environment objectives during an interview with the France Inter broadcaster. The minister explained that he felt alone in his work on promoting ecology-related goals and could not pretend through his continued presence in the government that the objectives were being met. The new minister is expected to be appointed by next Tuesday.

"Daniel Cohn-Bendit is an important voice in the public debate ... We talk regularly," Griveaux was quoted as saying by the Europe 1 broadcaster.

The spokesman also said the future minister would be expected to continue the work launched by Hulot, according to the outlet.

"There are those who speak and those who act, and we want for this post someone who acts ... This issue will be discussed during the talks with the Republic's president," Griveaux added.

The news outlet pointed out that Cohn-Bendit, in turn, told Europe 1 on Sunday that the ministerial post "was not his cup of tea," however, he added that he would meet with French President Emanuel Macron later in the day.

Cohn-Bendit served as co-chairman of the Greens-European Free Alliance political group in the European Parliament and is also known for being one of the student leaders during the 1968 political unrest in France, which resulted in early parliamentary election and the resignation of then President Charles de Gaulle.