Macron reappoints Lecornu as French PM after days of turmoil

Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday after 26 days in the job and he said two days later his "mission is over".

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Macron made the announcement late on Friday, hours after meeting all the main parties together at the Élysée Palace, except the leaders of the far right and far left.

Lecornu's return came as a surprise, as he said on national TV only two days ago he was not "chasing the job" and his "mission is over".

It is not even certain he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running. The new prime minister faces a deadline on Monday to put next year's budget before parliament.

The Élysée said the president had "tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government" and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given "carte blanche" to act.