French President Emmanuel Macron is about to set in motion the appointment of a caretaker government until negotiations to find a new prime minister bear fruit.

Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Macron may formally accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on behalf of the government, as he suggested in an open letter to the French people last week. Attal could then stay on at the helm of a caretaker administration, with weakened powers, until such time as his successor is appointed by Macron. 

The president needs to make his move before Thursday to ensure his ministers can participate in a parliamentary vote to select the head of the National Assembly, who organizes and leads debates in the lower house, appoints administrative authorities and is consulted in times of crisis. Sitting ministers who are also lawmakers aren’t allowed to take part in this vote.