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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to resume duties as French prime minister only four days after he stepped down, sparking a week of high drama and political turmoil.

Macron declared late on Friday, following consulting with leading factions in one place at the presidential palace, except for the figures of the extremist parties.

His reappointment was unexpected, as he stated on television recently that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running. Lecornu faces a cut-off on Monday to present the annual budget before parliament.

Political Challenges and Fiscal Demands

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

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then released a long statement on X in which he consented to as an obligation the assignment entrusted to me by the president, to do everything to secure a national budget by the year's conclusion and respond to the daily concerns of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce the country's public debt and balance the books have caused the fall of two of the past three prime ministers in the last year, so his task is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was almost 114% of economic output (GDP) – the number three in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is projected to reach 5.4 percent of the economy.

The premier said that no one can avoid the necessity of repairing the nation's budget. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he warned that anyone joining his government would have to delay their political goals.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for the prime minister 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 hit a record low in the latest survey, according to research that put his approval rating on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the right-wing group, which was left out of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a “bad joke”.

They would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a failing government, whose main motivation was fear of an election, he continued.

Building Alliances

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 recently talking to factions that might participate in his administration.

By themselves, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are disagreements within the right-leaning party who have supported Macron's governments since he lost his majority in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will look to left-wing parties for possible backing.

In an attempt to court the left, the president's advisors hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his divisive retirement changes enacted last year which increased the pension age from the early sixties.

That fell short of what progressive chiefs hoped for, as they were hoping he would choose a leader from the left. Olivier Faure of the Socialists said lacking commitments, they would withhold backing for the premier.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the left wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the central bloc would not be supported by the French people.

Greens leader the Green figure remarked she was surprised Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.