Paris prosecutors have said an initial probe did not provide grounds needed to proceed on the rape claims. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe defended the rising political star, but Dermanin could face more charges.
A preliminary probe could not establish "the absence of consent on the part of the plaintiff" or that she was acting "under constraint, threat, surprise or any sort of violence towards her," the office said.
The rape accusation, which coincided with similar claims of sexual harassment and assault against men in positions of power in politics, media and beyond, had led to a fury of defense for the rising political star from the other cabinet members.
Opened, closed, re-opened, dropped
Plaintiff Sophie Spatz originally filed her complaint against Darmanin last year but then failed to appear for questioning. The case was re-opened in mid-January after she renewed her complaint.
Darmanin has said he will sue Spatz for slanderImage: picture-alliance/Maxppp/C.P. Tesson
Darmanin denied the rape allegations, calling them "slanderous," while admitting that he had a reputation for flirting and sending "a few persistent text messages." The minister would sue Spatz for slander, his lawyers said.
Earlier this week, French newspaper Le Point reported that a second woman had accused Darmanin of using his former political position to extract sexual favors. The allegations date to the minister's time as mayor of the northern French city Tourcoing from 2014 to 2017.
"Various investigations still need to be undertaken" in this case, the prosecutor's office said Friday.
The minister has denied these claims.
Defense for a young politician
Born into a working-class family, the 35-year-old Darmanin had been a member of the conservative Republican ("Les Republicains") party before being expelled for joining Macron's En Marche movement. Darmanin has served as the Minister of Public Action and Accounts since being appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in May 2017.
After Spatz's rape claims came to light, members of the French government rallied around the young minister. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that Dermanin still had his "full confidence."
As France steps into a Macron-shaped future, DW looks at the people who will make up the newly appointed cabinet. A mixed bag of politicians from the right, left and center, with half of the 22 members now women.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Mori
Macron's cabinet: Left, right and center
Macron has amalgamated not only political camps and generations, he has also appointed outside experts and a number of people from the business world.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Mori
Prime Minister: Eduoard Philippe
A moderate Republican. Philippe is a supporter of former-Prime Minister Alain Juppe.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/F. Mori
Foreign Minister: Jean-Yves Le Drian
The only minister recycled from Francois Hollande's government. Le Drian previously serves as former defense minister. He signifies a continuity of France's traditional foreign policy course.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Meyer
Defense Minister: Sylvie Goulard
Goulard is a former member of the European Parliament. She is expected to heavily boost European cooperation.
Image: Getty ImagesAFP/C. Triballeau
Finance Minister: Bruno Le Maire
Responsible, among other things, for negotiations on reshaping the eurozone. He was a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's cabinet and a presidential candidate once himself.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Bureau
Health Minister: Agnès Buzyn
A hematologist and professor of medicine, Buzyn is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
Justice Minister: Francois Bayrou
Bayrou will have to deal with a judiciary in crisis which, during the election campaign, had drawn a lot of criticism - in particular over its investigations of Republican presidential candidate Francois Fillon and National Front leader Marine Le Pen.
Image: Reuters/G. Fuentes
Sports Minister: Laura Flessel
An ex-Olympic fencing champion.
Image: Reuters
Interior Minister: Gerard Collomb
Collomb is the mayor of Lyon, a former Socialist and one of the first supporters of Macron's En Marche movement and its leader. His success - or failure - will also determine much of the fate of the Macron government.
Image: Getty Images/A. Meunier
Labour Minister: Muriel Penicaud
One of Macron's new ministers with a strong background in the business world.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. de Sakutin
Ecology Minister: Nicolas Hulot
A long-time environmental activist, some in France are already placing bets on how long Hulot will remain a member of Macron's cabinet.
