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President Emmanuel Macron has asked Sébastien Lecornu to come back as head of government only four days after he left the post, causing a stretch of high drama and instability.

The president declared towards the end of the week, following meeting key political groups collectively at the official residence, omitting the leaders of the far right and far left.

The decision to reinstate him shocked many, as he stated on broadcast 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 establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to hit the ground running. The new prime minister faces a cut-off on Monday to put next year's budget before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures

Officials said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors indicated he had been given “carte blanche” to make decisions.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then issued a long statement on social media in which he accepted as an obligation the assignment assigned by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have resulted in the resignation of multiple premiers in the past twelve months, so his mission is daunting.

Government liabilities earlier this year was almost 114% of national income – the number three in the currency union – and the annual fiscal gap is projected to amount to 5.4% of GDP.

Lecornu said that no one can avoid the necessity of restoring government accounts. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where the president has no majority to support him. The president's popularity plummeted this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his support level on 14%.

The far-right leader of the National Rally party, which was left out of the president's discussions with faction heads on the end of the week, said that the decision, by a president increasingly isolated at the Élysée, is a poor decision.

They would quickly propose a vote of no confidence against a failing government, whose sole purpose was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Forming Coalitions

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges ahead as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already devoted 48 hours this week meeting with political groups that might support him.

By themselves, the centrist parties are insufficient, and there are divisions within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he lacked support in elections last year.

So Lecornu will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, officials suggested the president was considering a delay to portions of his divisive social security adjustments implemented recently which extended working life from 62 to 64.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were hoping he would choose a prime minister from their side. Olivier Faure of the Socialists said without assurances, they would offer no support for the premier.

The Communist figure from the Communists commented post-consultation that the left wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the central bloc would not be accepted by the public.

Greens leader the Green figure said she was “stunned” the president had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.