French Government Minister Resigns Over Poor Health

France’s Minister for Higher Education and Research, Geneviève Fioraso, has resigned from the government for “health reasons”, President François Hollande’s office announced Thursday.
“The President of the Republic thanks Geneviève Fioraso for her accomplishments in the service of the excellence of French research and the modernisation of higher education,” the statement from the Elysée Palace said.

“He wishes her a full recovery.”

Government spokesperson Stéphane Le Foll had told journalists at a Wednesday press conference that the 60-year-old Fioraso might have to step down for what he described as “rather serious” health problems.

“I want to say it in the clearest way possible, these are health problems and real health problems,” he said.

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the current Minister for Education, will take over Fioraso’s government responsibilities, said the statement from Hollande’s office."