1ST LEAD Resigned French minister vows to deliver «new hope» for France By Sebastian Kunigkeit and Robin Powell, dpa

Paris (dpa) - Emmanuel Macron, a rising but controversial star of French politics, said Tuesday that his political career would enter a "new phase" after he resigned as economy minister.Appointed in 2014, the 38-year-old former investment banker founded his own political movement in April, and has attracted speculation that he plans to launch a bid for the presidency in elections due in 2017.He has denied that he has any plans to run for president, but did not address the issue directly in a statement to reporters shortly after news of his resignation became official."I have thought about it for long time. It would have been easiest to stay in the comfort of Bercy [where ministry is located], but I have made a decision to take responsibility," Macron said.He said that in his current role he had "touched the limits of our political system."Macron has become increasingly isolated from President Francois Hollande and Premier Manual Valls in recent months.He is no longer a member of Hollande‘s Socialist party and has launched his own political movement in April called "En Marche!" or "Forward!" which he describes as "neither right-wing nor left-wing."By resigning, he would be able to devote all of his time to this new project."It‘s a choice to be free and responsible, free to speak, to propose, to act, to mobilize, to be responsible for a new offering that will construct a new hope."Hollande gave Macron the economics portfolio in 2014, but his liberal economic ideas have disturbed many on the left of the ruling Socialist party. He thanked Macron for his work on the Elysee‘s Twitter page.Current Finance Minister Michel Sapin will take on extra portfolio as the new economy minister.