London: French President Emmanuel Macron could appoint a new prime minister within days in a bid to break a deadlock in parliament over the national budget, amid hopes for an agreement to avoid forcing the nation to an election.

Former prime minister Sebastien Lecornu, who stunned the nation by quitting on Monday morning, claimed progress in his negotiations with parliament to avert an election, after he was given 48 hours to seek a deal before his departure.

Lecornu said on Wednesday night – 5:30am on Thursday, AEDT – that Macron could be in a position to nominate a new prime minister within 48 hours and that the prospect of a snap parliamentary election was receding.

“I told the president of the republic that the prospects of dissolution were receding and that I believe the situati

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