Politiek · Environment Minister Resignation Blocked · ArchiefMacron Blocks Environment Minister's Resignation Over Pesticide U-TurnGeschreven 7 september 2026 om 21:22 UTCKijkenTranscript0:00French President Emmanuel Macron has0:02refused the resignation of his own0:03environment minister Monique Barbut0:05after she opposed an emergency0:07agriculture bill that temporarily brings0:09back two banned pesticides. Barbut0:11submitted her resignation on July 22nd0:13and Macron said no.0:15The crisis unfolded at the Elysee Palace0:18where Barbut met Macron and Prime0:20Minister Sebastian Lecornu. She agreed0:22to stay but made clear she was deeply0:25unhappy. The emergency bill passed July0:2721st allows France's food safety agency0:30to temporarily authorize two0:32neonicotinoid pesticides acetamiprid and0:35flupyradifurone for sugar beet, apples,0:37hazelnuts and cherries. Both have been0:39banned for years due to their impact on0:41bee populations. In a LinkedIn post,0:43Barbut said the government prevented any0:45debate. She was appointed just nine0:47months ago in October 2025 and had0:49already threatened to resign in January0:51over oil and gas projects. The0:53legislation responds to pressure from0:55French farmers who say they need these0:56insecticides to compete with European0:58producers. But environmental groups warn1:00the consequences will be severe. Green1:02Party leader Marine Tondelier called the1:04episode an earthquake. The farmers union1:07Confederation Paysanne said the near1:09resignation showed the government has no1:11long-term adaptation strategy.1:19This is the second time Barbut has1:21threatened to walk out. A previous1:23legislative attempt to reintroduce1:25acetamiprid in 2025 was partially struck1:28down by France's Constitutional Council.1:30The decision leaves Macron walking a1:32tightrope. His coalition holds a slim1:34parliamentary majority and a1:36presidential election is just nine1:38months away. For now, the question is1:40whether the government can balance1:42farmer interests with environmental1:43commitments before the bees pay the1:45price.Lees het artikelTijdlijn van het verhaalHeyDexDe korte video ↗
