A day after being elected as senator of Paris, Jouanno said she wanted to focus more on working plans of her new position, local media reported.

　　"I decided to have a seat in the senate and give up my position as minister," Jouanno told local broadcaster RTL.

　　"I've chosen the senate as it is more legitimate when we run for elections for the first time and it is necessary to work fully on Paris project," she added.

　　France's left-wing parties estimated to win 175 seats out of a total of 348 in Sunday's senate election, according to primary results.

　　If confirmed, it would be the first time for the governing conservative parties to lose majority in the senate since 1958, and a huge setback for French President Nicolas Sarkozy who will be seeking reelection in next year's presidential elections.