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Ex-prime minister Philippe, an erstwhile partner of the president, has stated his support for snap presidential elections given the seriousness of the political crisis rocking the nation.

The statements by the former PM, a prominent center-right contender to replace Emmanuel Macron, were made as the departing PM, Sébastien Lecornu, began a last-ditch attempt to muster bipartisan endorsement for a fresh government to rescue France out of its growing parliamentary gridlock.

Time is of the essence, he stated to RTL radio. It is impossible to extend what we have been undergoing for the past half a year. A further year and a half is excessive and it is hurting our nation. The governmental maneuvering we are playing today is distressing.

His comments were seconded by Bardella, the head of the far-right National Rally, who on Tuesday stated he, too, favored firstly a parliamentary dissolution, subsequently parliamentary elections or premature presidential voting.

Macron has instructed Sébastien Lecornu, who tendered his resignation on Monday only 27 days after he was named and half a day after his administration was presented, to continue for 48 hours to try to save the government and plan a solution from the situation.

The president has indicated he is willing to take responsibility in case of failure, officials at the Elysée have told French media, a comment generally seen as implying he would call premature parliamentary polls.

Increasing Discontent Among the President's Supporters

Indications also emerged of growing discontent among the president's allies, with Gabriel Attal, another former prime minister, who heads the president's centrist party, declaring on Monday evening he no longer understood his actions and it was the moment for a different strategy.

The outgoing PM, who resigned after opposition parties and supporters as well condemned his government for failing to represent enough of a change from earlier governments, was convening with party leaders from the morning at his office in an effort to breach the stalemate.

Background of the Crisis

The nation has been in a national instability for over 12 months since Macron called a early poll in last year that produced a divided legislature separated into three more or less similar-sized groups: left-wing parties, right-wing and Macron's own centre-right alliance, with no majority.

Lecornu earned the title of the briefest-serving prime minister in modern French history when he resigned, the country's fifth premier since Macron's re-election and the third since the parliamentary dissolution of last year.

Upcoming Polls and Financial Issues

Every political group are staking out their positions before elections for president set for the next election cycle that are projected to be a critical juncture in French politics, with the right-wing party under its leader believing its greatest opportunity of gaining control.

Moreover, unfolding against a deepening economic turmoil. France's debt-to-GDP ratio is the European Union's third-highest after Greece and the Italian Republic, approximately twice the maximum permitted under European regulations – as is its projected fiscal shortfall of almost six percent.