FRANCE’S new prime minister Sebastien Lecornu resigned today, less than 24 hours after naming his government and after less than a month in office.

The move plunged the country further into a deep political crisis and left French President Emmanuel Macron facing calls for his own resignation.

Mr Lecornu had replaced his predecessor, Francois Bayrou, in September to become France’s fourth prime minister in barely a year during a prolonged period of political instability.

French politics have been in disarray since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections last year that produced a deeply fragmented legislature and a political impasse.

Far-right and left-wing lawmakers hold over 320 seats at the National Assembly, while the right-wing supporters of Mr Macron hold 210, with no party having an overall majority.

Mr Lecornu said conditions were no longer met to remain in office after failing to build a consensus.

In his resignation speech, Mr Lecornu said: “It would take little for it to work. By being more selfless for many, by knowing how to show humility. One must always put one’s country before one’s party.”

French Communist Party national secretary Fabien Roussel said: “The democratic crisis is unprecedented in the face of the incompetence of those who have been leading the country for eight years.

“Emmanuel Macron is leading the country into a dead end! To get out of it, let him finally appoint the left. Otherwise, let’s go back to the polls.”

Left-wing party France Unbowed immediately called on President Macron to step down, while voices on the left called for the revival of a coalition made up of leftists, socialists, greens and communists.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said: “The only wise course of action in these circumstances is to return to the polls.”

Ministers appointed just the previous night found themselves now became caretaker ministers.

Agnes Pannier-Runacher, the newly reappointed minister for ecology, posted on X: “I despair of this circus.”