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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to come back as head of government just days after he stepped down, sparking a period of political upheaval and crisis.

The president declared towards the end of the week, shortly after gathering key political groups collectively at the presidential palace, excluding the representatives of the political extremes.

The decision to reinstate him shocked many, as he declared on broadcast only two days ago that he was not interested in returning and his task was complete.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a cut-off on the start of the week to present the annual budget before parliament.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

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

Lecornu, who is one of the president's key supporters, then released a long statement on social media in which he consented to responsibly the assignment entrusted to me by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and address the daily concerns of our countrymen.

Ideological disagreements over how to reduce the country's public debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have resulted in the fall of multiple premiers in the last year, so his mission is enormous.

The nation's debt earlier this year was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the eurozone – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to hit 5.4% of the economy.

The premier said that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of restoring the nation's budget. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Governing Without a Majority

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where the president has no majority to support him. The president's popularity plummeted recently, according to a survey that put his approval rating on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of consultations with political chiefs on Friday, commented that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president out of touch at the official residence, is a poor decision.

The National Rally would immediately bring a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose sole purpose was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least knows the pitfalls in his path as he tries to form a government, because he has already used time this week consulting political groups that might support him.

Alone, the moderate factions are insufficient, 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 left-wing parties for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, officials hinted the president was thinking of postponing to part of his controversial pension reforms implemented recently which increased the pension age from the early sixties.

That fell short of what progressive chiefs hoped for, as they were anticipating he would choose 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 progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the citizens.

Greens leader the Green figure expressed shock Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.