France ‘s caretaker Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu expressed cautious optimism on Wednesday, suggesting that a budget deal could be reached by year-end, reducing the likelihood of a snap election.

Lecornu’s remarks came as he was set to wrap up talks on Wednesday with various parties and report back to President Emmanuel Macron on whether he has found a way to end France’s worst political crisis in decades.

Budget Before December 31?

“There is a willingness to have a budget for France before December 31 of this year,” Lecornu told reporters after meetings on Tuesday with conservatives and centre-right parties, and before meeting the Socialist Party.

“And this willingness creates momentum and convergence, obviously, which reduces the prospects of dissolution (of parliament),” he sa

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