France's President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister in the next 48 hours, according to a statement from the Elysee palace, late on Wednesday.

"The president thanks Sebastien Lecornu for the work done over these last 48 hours," the presidency said. Macron "will name a prime minister within 48 hours."

It comes just after outgoing interim Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, said the country could have a new premier in the next two days.

"I told the President of the Republic that the prospects of dissolution were receding and that I believe the situation allows for the president to name a prime minister in the next 48 hours," Lecornu told public television channel, France 2.

 

What else did Lecornu say?

Lecornu — who was France's fifth prime minister in two years — resigned on Monday, just 14 hours after naming his Cabinet. 

He ruled out returning as prime minister if Macron were to ask him. "My mission ends this evening," Lecornu said.

The outgoing premier said that Macron's contentious pension reform was one the biggest stumbling blocks in negotiations to form a new government.

"We need to find a way so that a debate can occur on pension reform," Lecornu told France 2 television.

France is in a state of political turmoil and Macron has been facing calls to hold snap elections or even to tender his resignation after Lecornu unexpectedly announced he was stepping down.

Majority in parliament do not want dissolution — Lecornu

Lecornu said that his talks with other parties showed there was a majority in parliament with no appetite for a snap election.

"After my consultations over the past 48 hours, I am convinced that there is indeed an absolute majority in the National Assembly that rejects a new dissolution," Lecornu said in a post on X.

When announcing his resignation, Lecornu said cooperation and consensus were lacking among France's political parties which made forming a government impossible.

On Wednesday, Lecornu said there is a majority of several political groups, including the left-wing opposition, willing to agree on a budget and stability, but only under certain conditions. 

"I can therefore tell you that I feel there is still a possible path forward," Lecornu said.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn