French President Emmanuel Macron was on Friday due to pick a head of government to lift the country out of political crisis, with allies irritated he could rename the same prime minister who quit earlier this week.

French politics has been deadlocked ever since Macron gambled last year on snap polls that he hoped would consolidate power -- but ended instead in a hung parliament and more seats for the far right.

Macron was due to meet with leaders of all political parties apart from the far-right National Rally (RN) and the radical left France Unbowed party at 1230 GMT on Friday at the presidential palace, informed sources told AFP.

Shortly before the meeting, the presidency in a statement called on all parties to recognise the "moment of collective responsibility", appearing to imply he

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