Paris, Oct. 6 -- France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down on Monday, just hours after presenting his new cabinet, plunging the country deeper into political turmoil.

Lecornu, who was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron last month and had earlier served as defence minister, unveiled his cabinet late on Sunday. But the line-up, which included only few changes from previous governments, drew sharp criticism from both the opposition and within parliament.

National Rally leader Jordan Bardella reacted to the announcement of his resignation, saying, "There can be no return to stability without a return to the polls and the dissolution of the National Assembly."

The immediate challenge for the new prime minister had been to w...