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President Emmanuel Macron has requested his former prime minister to resume duties as French prime minister a mere four days after he resigned, sparking a week of political upheaval and instability.

The president made the announcement on Friday evening, following gathering leading factions together at the Élysée Palace, except for the representatives of the political extremes.

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

It is not even certain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to start immediately. The new prime minister faces a time limit on Monday to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Governing Obstacles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, 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 long statement on an online platform in which he consented to responsibly the mission given to him by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the common issues of our fellow citizens.

Ideological disagreements over how to lower government borrowing and cut the budget deficit have led to the fall of several leaders in the past twelve months, so his mission is daunting.

Government liabilities recently was nearly 114 percent of gross domestic product – the third highest in the euro area – and this year's budget deficit is expected to amount to over five percent of GDP.

Lecornu stated that no one can avoid the need of repairing France's public finances. In just a year and a half before the end of Macron's presidency, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to delay their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a vote of confidence in a parliament where the president has no majority to endorse his government. The president's popularity hit a record low this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of Macron's talks with party leaders on Friday, commented that the prime minister's return, by a president increasingly isolated at the official residence, is a misstep.

They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was avoiding a vote, the leader stated.

Forming Coalitions

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already spent two days recently talking to factions that might participate in his administration.

On their own, the central groups are insufficient, and there are divisions within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

So Lecornu will look to progressive groups for future alliances.

To gain leftist support, officials hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his divisive social security adjustments enacted last year which raised the retirement age from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what left-wing leaders wanted, as they were hoping he would choose a premier from their side. Olivier Faure of the Socialists said without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists commented post-consultation that the left wanted real change, and a leader from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the public.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised the president had provided few concessions to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.