Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Le Corneille is beginning two days of final talks with members of various parties in an attempt to find a way out of the political crisis in the country, reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
A day earlier, he surprisingly submitted his resignation, along with that of his government, after his cabinet, announced on Sunday evening, was rejected by both allies and opponents. His government has become the shortest-lived administration in modern French history.
Yesterday, President Emmanuel Macron tasked Le Corneille with leading the negotiations, setting a deadline of Wednesday evening.
Politicians from across the political spectrum have expressed confusion about the president's actions. Some say Le Corneille's new assignment is simply an attempt to buy time, nearly a month after his nomination as prime minister.
It is unclear what the scope of Le Corneille's responsibilities will be during these discussions.
"Like many French people, I no longer understand the president's decisions," said Gabriel Attal, a centrist lawmaker and former prime minister under Macron.
Le Corneille is scheduled to meet with several members of the conservative "Republicans" party early today. and the center-right "Renaissance".
The current political crisis in France - the deepest since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958 - began before June last year.
After the far right gained strength in the European Parliament elections, Macron called early elections for the lower house of parliament.
The result was a fractured parliament with no clear majority - in a country with a government designed to have a strong president and a parliamentary majority, and with little history of coalition and consensus building.
Lecornu was Macron's third prime minister since calling these elections, with the president's options already limited.
Macron could appoint a new prime minister. The Socialists have called for him to choose a prime minister from the left, but Macron is resisting because such a move could lead to the cancellation of pension reforms and tax changes.
The constitution does not prohibit Macron from reappointing Le Corneille, a close ally.
Opposition parties are demanding that Macron dissolve parliament or resign. The president, whose term ends in 2027, has so far ruled out those options.
The head of the business leaders' lobby Medef, Patrick Martin, said the political crisis was "adding to the already existing concerns within our ranks."
"We are witnessing this political spectacle that saddens us, and we call for a sense of responsibility from all political players," he stressed.