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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to return as French prime minister only four days after he resigned, triggering a week of intense uncertainty and crisis.

The president declared towards the end of the week, following consulting with key political groups in one place at the official residence, excluding the representatives of the far right and far left.

His reappointment 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 form a government, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a time limit on Monday to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Budgetary Strains

The Élysée confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and those close to the president indicated he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then released a comprehensive announcement on an online platform in which he consented to “out of duty” the assignment entrusted to me by the president, to do everything to secure a national budget by the December and address the daily concerns of our compatriots.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce government borrowing and reduce the fiscal shortfall have resulted in the resignation of multiple premiers in the past twelve months, so his challenge is daunting.

Government liabilities earlier this year was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third highest in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is expected to hit over five percent of the economy.

The premier emphasized that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of repairing the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the conclusion of his term, he advised that those in the cabinet would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Ruling Amid Division

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where the president has lacks sufficient support to endorse his government. His public standing reached its lowest point recently, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the right-wing group, which was excluded of consultations with faction heads on the end of the week, remarked that the decision, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the Élysée, is a misstep.

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

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least knows the pitfalls he faces as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already used time lately meeting with parties that might join his government.

By themselves, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he lost his majority in elections last year.

So Lecornu will look to left-wing parties for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, officials suggested the president was evaluating a pause to some aspects of his controversial retirement changes passed in 2023 which extended working life from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were anticipating he would select a prime minister from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party said without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a premier from the president's centrist camp would not be supported by the public.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that outcomes would be negative.