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President Emmanuel Macron has requested his former prime minister to return as French prime minister a mere four days after he left the post, triggering a stretch of political upheaval and instability.

Macron declared on Friday evening, hours after consulting with leading factions in one place at the presidential palace, omitting the representatives of the political extremes.

Lecornu's return was unexpected, as he stated on broadcast recently that he was not “chasing the job” and his “mission is over”.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a cut-off on the start of the week to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures

The presidency confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and Macron's entourage implied he had been given “carte blanche” to make decisions.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then issued a detailed message on social media in which he agreed to take on “out of duty” the task given to him by the president, to strive to finalize financial plans by the year's conclusion and address the daily concerns of our fellow citizens.

Political divisions over how to lower government borrowing and reduce the fiscal shortfall have led to the ouster of several leaders in the last year, so his task is enormous.

The nation's debt recently was almost 114% of gross domestic product – the number three in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to hit over five percent of the economy.

The premier emphasized that everyone must contribute the need of repairing the nation's budget. In just a year and a half before the completion of his mandate, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their presidential ambitions.

Governing Without a Majority

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a vote of confidence in a parliament where Macron has lacks sufficient support to endorse his government. His public standing hit a record low in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was excluded of the president's discussions with political chiefs on Friday, said that the decision, by a president increasingly isolated at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

His party would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose main motivation was dreading polls, he continued.

Seeking Support

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 this week meeting with parties 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 helped prop up the administration since he lost his majority in elections last year.

So he will look to progressive groups for potential support.

To gain leftist support, officials indicated the president was considering a delay to portions of his controversial pension reforms passed in 2023 which raised the retirement age from the early sixties.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were anticipating he would appoint a prime minister from their camp. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated without assurances, they would offer no support for the premier.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists said after meeting the president that the left wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be accepted by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.