Sébastien Lecornu has been given until Wednesday evening to come up with a plan for the "stability of the country".

The resignation of another French prime minister deepens the country's political crisis and draws a call from far-right leader Marine Le Pen for national elections.

Sébastien Lecornu, who is holding last-ditch talks with parties, said there was consensus on 'a desire to have a budget for France before December 31.'

French caretaker Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday a deal could eventually be reached on a 2026 budget despite the country's political crisis, striking a cautiously optimistic tone as he held talks with various parties.

PARIS (AP) — Outgoing French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, aiming to calm the political storm triggered by his resignation on Monday less than 24 hours after unveiling his ministers, faced a tight deadline Wednesday to break the deadlock caused by his departure.

PARIS (Reuters) -Caretaker French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Wednesday, saying a deal could potentially be reached on the country's budget by year-end, making the risk of a snap election more remote.

While France has a long history of hefty overspending, economists say political turmoil – which has stalled policymaking – is bringing the country’s debt problem to a head.

President Emmanuel Macron’s inability to find a government that can pass a new budget is hobbling his efforts to influence Europe’s agenda.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has just accused French intelligence of seeking political censorship in Moldova’s elections.

France on Thursday awaited in suspense over who would be its next prime minister as a deadline ticked down for President Emmanuel Macron to name a new premier after Sebastien Lecornu's resignation threw the country further into political turmoil.