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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to come back as French prime minister only four days after he left the post, sparking a week of high drama and political turmoil.

Macron declared on Friday evening, shortly after meeting leading factions collectively at the official residence, except for the figures of the extremist parties.

Lecornu's return came as a surprise, as he stated on television just 48 hours prior that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a cut-off on Monday to submit financial plans before the National Assembly.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The presidency announced the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and his advisors indicated he had been given full authority to make decisions.

The prime minister, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then published a detailed message on X in which he accepted responsibly the task given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and tackle the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to bring down the country's public debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the resignation of multiple premiers in the past twelve months, so his mission is enormous.

The nation's debt in the past months was close to 114% of national income – the third largest in the eurozone – and this year's budget deficit is projected to amount to 5.4% of GDP.

The premier stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the need of fixing government accounts. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he warned that anyone joining his government would have to delay 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 is short of votes to endorse his government. His public standing reached its lowest point in the latest survey, according to research that put his public backing on 14%.

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

They would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose sole purpose was avoiding a vote, the leader stated.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges he faces as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already used time recently meeting with factions that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the centrist parties cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have assisted the ruling coalition since he failed to secure enough seats in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will look to left-wing parties for potential support.

To gain leftist support, the president's advisors hinted the president was considering a delay to part of his controversial retirement changes implemented recently which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

It was insufficient of what progressive chiefs wanted, as they were anticipating he would select a premier from the left. The Socialist leader of the leftist party said “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a premier from the moderate faction would not be supported by the citizens.

Environmental party head the Green figure said she was “stunned” Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.