Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is starting two days of last-ditch talks on Tuesday with members of various parties, a day after his shock resignation, in an effort to find a way out of the country’s political crisis.

Lecornu tendered his and his government’s resignation on Monday morning, after his government, announced on Sunday evening, was rejected by both allies and opponents. His government was the shortest-lived administration in modern French history.

Macron tasked Lecornu on Monday with holding the talks, setting a deadline for Wednesday evening.

Politicians of various stripes expressed confusion about the president’s moves, with some arguing that Lecornu’s new task was merely an effort to buy more time nearly a month after the outgoing prime minister’s nominat

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