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The French leader has called upon his former prime minister to return as the nation's premier only four days after he left the post, sparking a period of intense uncertainty and political turmoil.

Macron made the announcement on Friday evening, shortly after meeting leading factions collectively at the Élysée Palace, except for the leaders of the political extremes.

The decision to reinstate him came as a surprise, as he said on national TV only two days ago that he was not “chasing the job” and his role had concluded.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a cut-off on the start of the week to submit financial plans before the National Assembly.

Political Challenges and Budgetary Strains

Officials said the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and Macron's entourage implied he had been given full authority to proceed.

Lecornu, who is one of the president's key supporters, then published a long statement on X in which he consented to responsibly the mission assigned by the president, to do everything to finalize financial plans by the December and respond to the daily concerns of our fellow citizens.

Political divisions over how to reduce the country's public debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the fall of several leaders in the past twelve months, so his task is daunting.

France's public debt earlier this year was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the number three in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is expected to reach over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu said that everyone must contribute the necessity of restoring government accounts. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he advised that prospective ministers would have to set aside their political goals.

Governing Without a Majority

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a National Assembly where the president has lacks sufficient support to endorse his government. The president's popularity plummeted recently, according to a survey that put his public backing on 14%.

The far-right leader of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of the president's discussions with faction heads on the end of the week, said that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

The National Rally would promptly introduce a challenge against a failing government, whose main motivation was dreading polls, he continued.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges ahead as he tries to form a government, because he has already spent two days recently meeting with factions that might support him.

Alone, the central groups cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

So Lecornu will look to socialist factions for future alliances.

To gain leftist support, Macron's team indicated the president was evaluating a pause to some aspects of his highly contentious social security adjustments implemented recently which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were expecting he would select a leader from their camp. The Socialist leader of the leftist party stated lacking commitments, they would withhold backing to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists commented post-consultation that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a prime minister from the president's centrist camp would not be endorsed by the public.

Environmental party head the Green figure said she was “stunned” Macron had provided few concessions to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.