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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to return as head of government just days after he stepped down, causing a stretch of political upheaval and crisis.

The president declared on Friday evening, hours after consulting with all the main parties together at the Élysée Palace, omitting the leaders of the extremist parties.

His reappointment was unexpected, as he stated on national TV only two days ago that he was not interested in returning 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 deadline on the start of the week to present the annual budget before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée confirmed the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president indicated he had been given full authority to act.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then published a long statement on an online platform in which he consented to “out of duty” the mission assigned by the president, to make every effort to secure a national budget by the year's conclusion and tackle the common issues of our compatriots.

Political divisions over how to bring down government borrowing and cut the budget deficit have led to the resignation of two of the past three prime ministers in the last year, so his challenge is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was close to 114% of national income – the third largest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is projected to hit 5.4 percent of the economy.

Lecornu stated that no one can avoid the necessity of fixing the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that those in the cabinet would have to delay their political goals.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a National Assembly where the president has lacks sufficient support to support him. Macron's approval reached its lowest point in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on 14 percent.

The far-right leader of the far-right National Rally, which was excluded of the president's discussions with party leaders on Friday, commented that the decision, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the official residence, is a poor decision.

His party would immediately bring a challenge against a failing government, whose sole purpose was avoiding a vote, he continued.

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges ahead as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already devoted 48 hours lately talking to parties that might support him.

On their own, the central groups are insufficient, and there are disagreements within the right-leaning party who have supported the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in recent polls.

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

As a gesture to progressives, officials suggested the president was evaluating a pause to some aspects of his highly contentious pension reforms enacted last year which extended working life from the early sixties.

That fell short of what progressive chiefs wanted, as they were anticipating he would appoint a prime minister from their side. Olivier Faure of the leftist party stated without assurances, they would offer no support for the premier.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the moderate faction would not be accepted by the public.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier expressed shock the president had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.