The cost of government borrowing has rocketed higher in France after its new prime minister resigned hours after appointing his new cabinet.
Bond yields surged and French stock markets sank after Sébastien Lecornu resigned after just 27 days in the role amid threats from allies and opponents to topple his government.
His unexpected resignation deepens the political crisis in France, which is now seeking its fourth prime minister in less than a year.
The hard-Right National Rally immediately urged President Emmanuel Macron to call a snap parliamentary election.
Appointed last month, Mr Lecornu had faced the formidable task of cobbling together a consensus in a deeply divided parliament for an austerity budget for next year.
