French President Emmanuel Macron was on Thursday racing to find a new prime minister within a two-day deadline after the resignation of outgoing premier Sebastien Lecornu tipped the country deeper into political crisis.

The presidency said late Wednesday Macron will name a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, indicating the appointment will come by Friday evening at the latest.

Lecornu told French television in an interview that he expected a new premier to be named -- rather than early legislative elections or Macron's resignation -- in order to resolve the crisis.

The developments were the latest twists in three tumultuous days of political drama that have shaken France and raised concerns over the stability of the key member of the European Union.

Lecornu had resigned early Monday after less than a month in office, but Macron gave him up to Wednesday evening to find a way out of months of deadlock over an austerity budget.

Lecornu's two immediate predecessors were ousted by the legislative chamber in a standoff over the spending plan.

The president........

© International Business Times