France’s Macron will appoint new PM in next 48 hours

French President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new Prime Minister by Friday, his office said on Wednesday.

“A majority of deputies oppose dissolution (of parliament); a platform for stability exists; a path is possible to adopt a budget by December 31. On this basis, the President of the Republic will appoint a Prime Minister within the next 48 hours,” the Elysee presidential office said.

This comes days after newly appointed French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down just weeks after taking office.

Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron is under pressure to either call snap parliamentary elections or resign as his former allies joined his opponents in demanding action to end the political crisis in the country.

Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said Macron should announce an early presidential election once a budget for next year was adopted.

“Time is of the essence. We are not going to prolong what we have been experiencing for the past six months. Another 18 months is far too long and it is damaging France. The political game we are playing today is distressing,” he said.

The calls intensified after outgoing prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who was appointed only 28 days ago, resigned with his 14-hour-old cabinet on Monday but was asked by Macron to hold last-ditch talks with party leaders to try to rally support.