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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon his former prime minister to return as the nation's premier a mere four days after he resigned, sparking a week of intense uncertainty and instability.

The president stated on Friday evening, following consulting with key political groups in one place at the official residence, except for the figures of the far right and far left.

The decision to reinstate him was unexpected, as he said on national TV only two days ago that he was not “chasing the job” and his role had concluded.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a deadline on Monday to put next year's budget before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

Officials confirmed the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and his advisors suggested he had been given complete freedom to make decisions.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then issued a detailed message on social media in which he accepted responsibly the task assigned by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and respond to the daily concerns of our compatriots.

Ideological disagreements over how to bring down the country's public debt and balance the books have led to the ouster of multiple premiers in the past twelve months, so his challenge is immense.

The nation's debt recently was almost 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to amount to over five percent of the economy.

The premier stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the need of fixing government accounts. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that those in the cabinet would have to delay their aspirations for higher office.

Governing Without a Majority

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a parliament where Macron has no majority to support him. Macron's approval hit a record low in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on 14%.

The far-right leader of the National Rally party, which was not invited of Macron's talks with party leaders on Friday, said that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president increasingly isolated at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

His party would immediately bring a motion of censure against a failing government, whose main motivation was fear of an election, he continued.

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles in his path as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already spent two days lately consulting factions that might join his government.

Alone, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will consider left-wing parties for future alliances.

To gain leftist support, officials indicated the president was evaluating a pause to part of his controversial social security adjustments passed in 2023 which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were anticipating he would appoint a prime minister from their camp. The Socialist leader of the leftist party commented “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the Communists stated following discussions that the left wanted real change, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be accepted by the public.

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