Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said Tuesday that he favors an early presidential election once France has adopted a budget.

"I believe he (President Emmanuel Macron) should take some initiative, and it seems to me he would do himself credit if for example, he proposed a name for prime minister ... whose role would be to handle current affairs and prepare a budget, to have that budget passed, and once France has a budget ... he (Macron) announces that he will call an early presidential election," Philippe told broadcaster RTL.

He noted, however, that he does not agree with the idea of removing the president from office, stressing that one does “not force a president of the republic to leave.”

"I’m not in favor of such an immediate and abrupt resignation. It would have a terrible impact; it would prevent a presidential election from being held under proper conditions," Philippe said.

His statement came after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who was the fifth prime minister in less than two years, submitted his resignation to Macron on Monday amid growing criticism over the recently announced Cabinet.

Lecornu’s resignation also sparked a wave of criticism toward Macron.

Speaking to BFM TV, far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen noted that Macron’s resignation would be a “wise” decision, while also urging him to dissolve parliament, which she considers “absolutely unavoidable.”

"France’s interest requires that Emmanuel Macron schedule his resignation, in order to preserve the institutions and resolve a situation that has been unavoidable since the absurd dissolution. He is the primary person responsible for this situation," David Lisnard, vice-president of the right-wing Republicans, said through the US social media company X.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of the French Unbowed (LFI) party, also called for “immediate” consideration of the motion to impeach Macron.

In the meantime, LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot shared a petition calling for the impeachment of Macron, which was initially launched on Sept. 16.

Lecornu's resignation came right after he unveiled a new government featuring mostly the same names as the one that collapsed on Sept. 8.

He was appointed prime minister after Francois Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly on Sept. 8.

Bayrou, who unveiled a 2026 budget framework in July, was seeking support for a plan to save nearly €44 billion ($51 billion) as part of efforts to reduce France’s soaring public debt, now at 115% of its GDP.

France has one of the EU's largest budget deficits at 5.8% of GDP.

Budget negotiations have been a major source of tension in French politics.

The failure to reach an agreement on the 2025 budget last year also led to the collapse of the Michel Barnier government in December after left-wing and far-right parties united behind a no-confidence motion.