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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to resume duties as head of government just days after he stepped down, causing a week of intense uncertainty and instability.

The president stated on Friday evening, following consulting with key political groups together at the official residence, except for the leaders of the far right and far left.

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

It is not even certain whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to hit the ground running. He faces a time limit on the start of the week to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée announced the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors indicated he had been given complete freedom to make decisions.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then issued a detailed message on an online platform in which he consented to as an obligation the assignment assigned by the president, to do everything to secure a national budget by the December and address the daily concerns of our compatriots.

Political divisions over how to lower France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the ouster of several leaders in the recent period, so his task is daunting.

Government liabilities in the past months was close to 114% of national income – the third highest in the currency union – and current shortfall is projected to reach 5.4% of GDP.

The premier stated that everyone must contribute the necessity of restoring government accounts. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where the president has is short of votes to support him. The president's popularity hit a record low recently, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was not invited of the president's discussions with faction heads on Friday, said that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president out of touch at the presidential palace, is a “bad joke”.

They would immediately bring a vote of no confidence against a struggling administration, whose sole purpose was dreading polls, the leader stated.

Seeking Support

The prime minister at least understands the obstacles ahead as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already spent two days lately meeting with political groups that might participate in his administration.

By themselves, the central groups are insufficient, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

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

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors hinted the president was considering a delay to some aspects of his highly contentious social security adjustments implemented recently which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders wanted, as they were anticipating he would choose a prime minister from the left. The Socialist leader of the leftist party commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the left wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be accepted by the citizens.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” the president had provided few concessions to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.