Paris - The French Environment Minister, Ms Dominique Voynet, confirmed yesterday that she would soon become the fifth prominent member to leave Socialist Prime Minister Mr Lionel Jospin's cabinet.
"I will leave the government before the summer, as I already announced at least a year ago. Naturally, it's a subject that I need to discuss with the Prime Minister," Ms Voynet said at a news conference.
Ms Voynet, leader of the Green party, a junior member in the Socialist-dominated coalition, plans to run for mayor of the city of Dole in municipal elections next month and wants to make her intentions clear, her party said on Wednesday.