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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Sébastien Lecornu to come back as head of government only four days after he stepped down, sparking a week of intense uncertainty and political turmoil.

Macron made the announcement towards the end of the week, following meeting leading factions collectively at the Élysée Palace, omitting the figures of the far right and far left.

The decision to reinstate him shocked many, as he declared on television just 48 hours prior that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a time limit on Monday to submit financial plans before parliament.

Political Challenges and Budgetary Strains

Officials confirmed the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and those close to the president suggested he had been given complete freedom to act.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a long statement on X in which he accepted “out of duty” the mission entrusted to me by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and respond to the daily concerns of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have led to the fall of several leaders in the last year, so his mission is enormous.

France's public debt in the past months was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third largest in the euro area – and current shortfall is projected to amount to over five percent of economic output.

The premier said that “no-one will be able to shirk” the necessity of restoring France's public finances. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he cautioned that those in the cabinet would have to put on hold their aspirations for higher office.

Governing Without a Majority

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a National Assembly where Macron has no majority to back him. The president's popularity reached its lowest point this week, according to research that put his approval rating on 14 percent.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was left out of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, commented that the decision, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a misstep.

They would immediately bring a challenge against a failing government, whose only reason for being was fear of an election, he continued.

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges ahead as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already used time lately talking to parties that might support him.

Alone, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are splits within the traditionalists who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So he will seek left-wing parties for possible backing.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was considering a delay to some aspects of his controversial retirement changes enacted last year which increased the pension age from 62 to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what socialist figures wanted, as they were anticipating he would choose a prime minister from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a premier from the central bloc would not be accepted by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” the president had given minimal offers to the progressives, adding that outcomes would be negative.