Macron gives Lecornu two days to ready stability plan

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday gave Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu two days to salvage his administration after the premier resigned after less than a month in office in a move that plunged the country further into a political crisis.

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Lecornu earlier on Monday stepped down just 14 hours after naming his government and had been due to hold his first cabinet meeting in the afternoon.

But in another twist, Macron held new talks with Lecornu in the evening and gave him two days to reach a plan for the country's “stability”, the president's office said.

Macron tasked Lecornu with “conducting final negotiations by Wednesday evening to define a platform of action and stability for the country,” a presidential official said, asking not to be named.

Lecornu added on X: “I have accepted, at the request of the president, to hold final discussions with the political forces for the stability of the country. I will tell the head of state on Wednesday evening whether this is possible or not, so that he can draw all the necessary conclusions.”

Macron is ready to “take his responsibilities” in case of failure, the presidential official said, in a possible reference to calling new legislative elections.

Lecornu's new government raised hackles across the spectrum before ministers had even entered their new offices -- in particular the appointment of former finance minister Bruno Le Maire as defence minister.

The right-wing Republicans (LR) party was infuriated by the appointment, seeing Le Maire as the incarnation of Macron’s economic policies.