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President Emmanuel Macron has asked his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier only four days after he left the post, triggering a stretch of high drama and political turmoil.

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

Lecornu's return shocked many, as he said on broadcast only two days ago that he was not “chasing the job” and his “mission is over”.

There is uncertainty 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 parliament.

Political Challenges and Fiscal Demands

The presidency said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors implied he had been given “carte blanche” to act.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a long statement on X in which he accepted as an obligation the assignment assigned by the president, to do everything to secure a national budget by the December and address the common issues of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce the country's public debt and balance the books have resulted in the ouster of two of the past three prime ministers in the last year, so his task is daunting.

Government liabilities in the past months was almost 114% of national income – the number three in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is estimated to amount to 5.4% of economic output.

Lecornu said that no one can avoid the need of fixing government accounts. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he cautioned that those in the cabinet would have to delay their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where Macron has lacks sufficient support to support him. His public standing reached its lowest point this week, according to a survey that put his approval rating on 14%.

The far-right leader of the National Rally party, which was excluded of Macron's talks with party leaders on the end of the week, remarked that the decision, by a president out of touch at the official residence, is a “bad joke”.

His party would quickly propose a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose main motivation was fear of an election, Bardella added.

Seeking Support

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges in his path as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already used time this week meeting with parties that might support him.

Alone, the central groups are insufficient, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have helped prop up the ruling coalition since he lacked support in elections last year.

So he will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was thinking of postponing to portions of his controversial retirement changes passed in 2023 which increased the pension age from 62 to 64.

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

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the left wanted substantive shifts, and a prime minister from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the public.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised the president had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.