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The French leader has requested Sébastien Lecornu to resume duties as head of government a mere four days after he stepped down, triggering a period of political upheaval and instability.

Macron made the announcement on Friday evening, following meeting leading factions together at the Élysée Palace, except for the leaders of the political extremes.

Lecornu's return shocked many, as he said on national TV just 48 hours prior that he was not interested in returning and his “mission is over”.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to hit the ground running. Lecornu faces a time limit on the start of the week to present the annual budget before the National Assembly.

Political Challenges and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then issued a long statement on an online platform in which he accepted “out of duty” the mission entrusted to me by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the daily concerns of our compatriots.

Ideological disagreements over how to lower the country's public debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have caused the ouster of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is enormous.

Government liabilities recently was almost 114% of gross domestic product – the third highest in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is estimated to amount to over five percent of GDP.

Lecornu emphasized that everyone must contribute the necessity of fixing the nation's budget. In just a year and a half before the completion of his mandate, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Governing Without a Majority

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where Macron has is short of votes to endorse his government. Macron's approval reached its lowest point this week, according to a survey that put his public backing on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was not invited of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, remarked that the decision, by a president increasingly isolated at the presidential palace, is a misstep.

They would promptly introduce a challenge against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles in his path as he tries to form a government, because he has already used time this week talking to factions that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have assisted Macron's governments since he failed to secure enough seats in the previous vote.

So he will consider left-wing parties for potential support.

In an attempt to court the left, officials suggested the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his divisive social security adjustments enacted last year which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

That fell short of what socialist figures hoped for, as they were expecting he would select a leader from their side. The Socialist leader of the leftist party stated without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the central bloc would not be accepted by the public.

Environmental party head the Green figure said she was “stunned” the president had provided few concessions to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.