Emmanuel Macron quits French government while leading centrist movement

French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron held the first major political rally of his new movement En Marche (On the Move) in Paris on the 12 July 2016.

Formally, Mr Macron had not announced whether he would be a candidate in the 2017 Presidential Election in France but he did say at the rally he wanted to lead his new political movement 'to 2017 and to victory'.

Macron described the movement's aims as 'neither of the left nor of the right'. He also said that 'it will not be a movement to produce yet another presidential candidate'.

On the 14 July 2016 French President Francois Hollande threatened Mr Macron as Economy Minister unless he respected the 'solidarity' of the government. Mr Macron resigned on 30 August 2016, a move seen by analysts as paving the way for a possible presidential bid.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Macron wants to galvanise France into action http://www.europeansources.info/record/emmanuel-macron-founds-centrist-movement-en-marche/

France24, 12.07.16: Why France’s Hollande holds on to ‘rebel’ minister Macron http://www.france24.com/en/20160712-france-hollande-emmanuel-macron-economy-minister-socialists-presidency

Deutsche Welle, 13.07.16: France's Macron promises 'movement of hope' at first-ever rally http://dw.com/p/1JNx5

Politico, 12.07.16: Emmanuel Macron one step closer to presidential bid http://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-presidential-bid-france-2017-news/

EurActiv, 13.07.16: Macron positions himself as France’s europhile presidential candidate http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/macron-positions-himself-as-frances-europhile-presidential-candidate/

Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2016: Macron flirts with the presidency http://www.eurotopics.net/en/157280/macron-flirts-with-the-presidency

BBC News, 14.07.16: France elections: Hollande slaps down ambitious minister Macron http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36792249

France24, 14.07.16: Hollande warns rebel Economy Minister Macron to ‘respect rules’ or leave govt http://www.france24.com/en/20160714-france-hollande-warns-rebel-minister-macron-respect-rules-or-leave-government

Politico, 14.07.16: François Hollande decides not to decide on Emmanuel Macron http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-hollande-decides-not-to-decide-on-emmanuel-macron-bastille-day-france-president/

The Local.fr, 14.07.16: Hollande to Macron: Respect the rules or leave http://www.thelocal.fr/20160714/hollande-to-macron-respect-rules-or-go

Politico, 30.08.16: Emmanuel Macron to resign from French government: source http://www.politico.eu/article/economy-minister-emmanuel-macron-to-resign-from-french-government-source/

EurActiv, 31.08.16: Europhile Macron quits French government to ‘offer something new’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/europhile-macron-quits-french-government-to-offer-something-new/

The Local.fr, 30.08.16: Macron quits government before likely bid for Elysée http://www.thelocal.fr/20160830/frances-economy-minister-to-resign-from-government

The Local.fr, 31.08.16: Emmanuel Macron the next French president - Really? http://www.thelocal.fr/20160831/can-emmanuel-macron-really-be-the-next-french-president

RFI, 31.08.16: Macron vows to ‘transform’ France http://en.rfi.fr/france/20160831-macron-vows-transform-france

The Local.fr, 30.08.16: Emmanuel Macron: The story of the whizzkid who could shake up French politics http://www.thelocal.fr/20160830/emmanuel-macron-profile

The Guardian, 30.08.16: Resignation of French minister Macron fuels presidential bid rumours https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/30/frances-economy-minister-emmanuel-macron-resigns

BBC News, 30.08.16: Macron quits to clear way for French presidential bid http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37221446

The New York Times, 30.08.16: Emmanuel Macron, Eyeing French Presidency, Resigns as Economy Minister http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/world/europe/emmanuel-macron-eying-french-presidency-resigns-as-economy-minister.html

Euro|Topics: Debates, August 2016: Can Macron become president? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/165280/can-macron-become-president

France24, 31.08.16: France’s maverick Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron resigns http://www.france24.com/en/20160830-france-rebel-economy-minister-macron-resigns-hollande

Deutsche Welle, 31.08.16: Will he run or won’t he? French ex-minister’s future fuels speculation and doubts http://dw.com/p/1Jt80

The Local.fr, 01.09.16: Most French don't want Macron to run for president http://www.thelocal.fr/20160901/most-french-dont-want-macron-to-run-for-president

EurActiv, 05.10.16: Emmanuel Macron unveils plans to ‘bring European democracy to life’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/emmanuel-macron-unveils-plans-to-bring-european-democracy-to-life/

Politico, 19.10.16: Emmanuel Macron: ‘No religion is a problem in France’ http://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-muslim-islam-no-religion-problem-in-france/

EurActiv, 20.10.16: Macron promises to lead the ‘fight’ for Europe http://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-priorities-2020/news/macron-promises-to-lead-the-fight-for-europe/

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