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The French leader has called upon his former prime minister to come back as French prime minister just days after he resigned, triggering a stretch of high drama and instability.

Macron declared on Friday evening, following meeting leading factions together at the presidential palace, except for the representatives of the political extremes.

The decision to reinstate him was unexpected, as he said on broadcast only two days ago that he was not “chasing the job” and his task was complete.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to hit the ground running. He faces a time limit on Monday to put next year's budget before the National Assembly.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée confirmed the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then published a detailed message on an online platform in which he accepted as an obligation the mission given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the year's conclusion and respond to the daily concerns of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to lower France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have led to the resignation of two of the past three prime ministers in the last year, so his mission is enormous.

The nation's debt recently was almost 114% of national income – the number three in the euro area – and this year's budget deficit is expected to reach over five percent of the economy.

The premier stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the need of fixing government accounts. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their political goals.

Governing Without a Majority

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a parliament where Macron has is short of votes to endorse his government. Macron's approval hit a record low in the latest survey, according to research that put his approval rating on just 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was left out of consultations with political chiefs on the end of the week, remarked that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a poor decision.

They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose main motivation was avoiding a vote, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges in his path as he tries to form a government, because he has already devoted 48 hours this week meeting with parties that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the moderate factions are insufficient, and there are splits within the traditionalists who have assisted the administration since he lacked support in elections last year.

So he will consider left-wing parties for potential support.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was thinking of postponing to portions of his highly contentious pension reforms implemented recently which extended working life from the early sixties.

It was insufficient of what socialist figures wanted, as they were hoping he would select a premier from the left. The Socialist leader of the leftist party commented without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party commented post-consultation that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a premier from the president's centrist camp would not be supported by the French people.

Environmental party head the Green figure expressed shock Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that outcomes would be negative.