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President Emmanuel Macron has asked his former prime minister to come back as French prime minister a mere four days after he resigned, triggering a period of political upheaval and political turmoil.

Macron made the announcement late on Friday, shortly after meeting all the main parties together at the presidential palace, excluding the figures of the extremist parties.

The decision to reinstate him shocked many, as he said on broadcast recently that he was not seeking the position and his task was complete.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a time limit on the start of the week to submit financial plans before the National Assembly.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors suggested he had been given complete freedom to proceed.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then released a long statement on an online platform in which he accepted responsibly the assignment given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the December and address the everyday problems of our countrymen.

Political divisions over how to lower France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the resignation of multiple premiers in the past twelve months, so his mission is enormous.

Government liabilities in the past months was nearly 114 percent of gross domestic product – the third highest in the eurozone – and current shortfall is estimated to amount to 5.4% of the economy.

The premier emphasized that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of restoring government accounts. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that prospective ministers would have to set aside their political goals.

Governing Without a Majority

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a National Assembly where the president has no majority to support him. The president's popularity plummeted this week, according to a survey that put his public backing on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of the president's discussions with party leaders on the end of the week, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president increasingly isolated at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

His party would quickly propose a challenge against a failing government, whose only reason for being was fear of an election, he continued.

Seeking Support

The prime minister at least understands the obstacles ahead as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already used time lately meeting with parties that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the central groups lack a majority, and there are splits within the right-leaning party who have supported Macron's governments since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So he will consider socialist factions for possible backing.

To gain leftist support, the president's advisors suggested the president was evaluating a pause to part of his highly contentious social security adjustments passed in 2023 which extended working life from the early sixties.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were expecting he would choose a premier from their camp. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the left wanted real change, and a prime minister from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the French people.

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