Lecornu starts last-ditch talks to end political crisis

France's outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was due to start a last-ditch effort to rally cross-party support for a cabinet lineup to pull his country out of political deadlock yesterday.

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Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrives to deliver a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, on Monday.

(REUTERS)

President Emmanuel Macron tasked Mr Lecornu, 39, with forming a government in early September after parliament toppled his predecessor over an unpopular austerity budget.

Mr Lecornu unveiled a new cabinet on Sunday evening but it immediately drew criticism for containing many of the same faces from the previous government, and Mr Lecornu resigned on Monday morning.

But in a twist, Mr Lecornu had by Monday evening accepted Mr Macron's request that he spend two days trying to salvage his administration.

Mr Macron tasked Mr 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.