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President Emmanuel Macron has requested his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier only four days after he stepped down, sparking a week of political upheaval and crisis.

The president made the announcement late on Friday, following gathering all the main parties in one place at the official residence, except for the figures of the political extremes.

His reappointment shocked many, as he stated on television just 48 hours prior that he was not “chasing the job” and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. Lecornu faces a time limit on Monday to put next year's budget before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures

Officials confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and Macron's entourage suggested he had been given full authority to act.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a comprehensive announcement on X in which he consented to “out of duty” the mission assigned by the president, to strive to finalize financial plans by the year's conclusion and address the common issues of our countrymen.

Political divisions over how to bring down the country's public debt and balance the books have led to the ouster of two of the past three prime ministers in the recent period, so his challenge is daunting.

France's public debt earlier this year was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third largest in the eurozone – and current shortfall is expected to hit 5.4% of GDP.

The premier said that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of fixing the nation's budget. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where the president has no majority to endorse his government. His public standing plummeted this week, according to a survey that put his support level on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of the president's discussions with political chiefs on the end of the week, commented that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the official residence, is a misstep.

The National Rally would quickly propose a vote of no confidence against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least understands the obstacles in his path as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already devoted 48 hours recently consulting political groups that might support him.

By themselves, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have supported Macron's governments since he lacked support in elections last year.

So he will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, Macron's team hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his controversial social security adjustments passed in 2023 which increased the pension age from the early sixties.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were hoping he would select a leader from the left. The Socialist leader of the leftist party stated lacking commitments, they would withhold backing in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier expressed shock the president had given minimal offers to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.