The clock is ticking down to presidential elections in 2027 and the europhile Mr Macron is desperate to prevent the Elysée going to the eurosceptic RN. He could resign and trigger early presidential elections but he will not be able to fight them because he has reached his two-term limit and has no obvious successor.

French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister. Mr Lecornu resigned from the post four days ago just hours after he appointed a cabinet - and after political rivals threatened to topple his government. Macron's office said in a statement on Friday that he has now been tasked with forming a new cabinet.

Emmanuel Macron's first prime minister urges the cornered French head of state to resign in a shock call that compounded an escalating political crisis.

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