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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Sébastien Lecornu to return as head of government only four days after he stepped down, causing a week of intense uncertainty and political turmoil.

Macron declared on Friday evening, shortly after consulting with key political groups together at the presidential palace, except for the leaders of the political extremes.

His reappointment shocked many, as he said on national TV recently that he was not seeking the position and his “mission is over”.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a time limit on Monday to present the annual budget before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée said the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and those close to the president implied he had been given full authority to act.

Lecornu, who is one of the president's key supporters, then released a long statement on social media in which he agreed to take on as an obligation the mission given to him by the president, to strive to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and address the everyday problems of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to lower the country's public debt and balance the books have caused the fall of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is enormous.

The nation's debt earlier this year was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the euro area – and this year's budget deficit is expected to reach over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu stated that everyone must contribute the imperative of restoring the nation's budget. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he warned that prospective ministers would have to set aside their presidential ambitions.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where Macron has is short of votes to support him. His public standing plummeted in the latest survey, according to research that put his support level on 14 percent.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, commented that the decision, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a “bad joke”.

They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a failing government, whose main motivation was avoiding a vote, Bardella added.

Forming Coalitions

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges he faces as he tries to form a government, because he has already devoted 48 hours recently talking to factions that might support him.

By themselves, the centrist parties lack a majority, and there are divisions within the conservative Republicans who have supported the administration since he lacked support in elections last year.

So Lecornu will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, the president's advisors suggested the president was considering a delay to portions of his highly contentious social security adjustments passed in 2023 which extended working life from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what socialist figures hoped for, as they were hoping he would select a leader from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party stated lacking commitments, they would withhold backing for the premier.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party commented post-consultation that the left wanted substantive shifts, and a leader from the president's centrist camp would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.