After media revelations about part-time jobs, the high commissioner for the French pension reform, Jean-Paul Delevoye, resigned. He was called upon by President Emmanuel Macron at his own request, as the Elysée Palace announced.
The 72-year-old had not officially stated various paid and unpaid activities and mandates. He was therefore accused of having a conflict of interest with his government office.
Macron had accepted the resignation "with regret", said the presidential office. Delevoye will be replaced shortly. Macron had appointed the conservative politician in September 2017 to work out the pension reform. It is one of the central campaign promises made by the head of state.
France has been on strike for the twelfth day in a row against pension reform. It stipulates that in future the French will only be able to retire without a discount at the age of 64 instead of the previous 62. In addition, preferential pensions, such as those for trains and local public transport, are to be abolished.
Delevoye justified his resignation with the "weakened trust" in himself. He described himself as the victim of "violent attacks and a mixture of lies". This harms the pension reform, which is "essential for France".