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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Sébastien Lecornu to come back as head of government a mere four days after he resigned, causing a stretch of political upheaval and instability.

The president stated on Friday evening, shortly after consulting with all the main parties collectively at the presidential palace, except for the figures of the extremist parties.

The decision to reinstate him was unexpected, as he stated on national TV recently that he was not interested in returning and his task was complete.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. Lecornu faces a time limit on the start of the week to put next year's budget before parliament.

Leadership Hurdles and Budgetary Strains

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

The prime minister, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then published a comprehensive announcement on social media in which he accepted as an obligation the task given to him by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the December and address the common issues of our compatriots.

Partisan conflicts over how to lower government borrowing and reduce the fiscal shortfall have caused the ouster of several leaders in the past twelve months, so his challenge is daunting.

France's public debt earlier this year was nearly 114 percent of national income – the third highest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to amount to over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu stated that no one can avoid the need of fixing government accounts. In just a year and a half before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to delay their presidential ambitions.

Governing Without a Majority

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where the president has is short of votes to back him. Macron's approval reached its lowest point recently, according to research that put his approval rating on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was left out of Macron's talks with faction heads on the end of the week, commented that the prime minister's return, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a misstep.

The National Rally would promptly introduce a vote of no confidence against a struggling administration, whose main motivation was avoiding a vote, he continued.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least is aware of the challenges in his path as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already devoted 48 hours this week talking to parties that might join his government.

Alone, the central groups cannot form a government, and there are disagreements within the traditionalists who have supported the ruling coalition since he failed to secure enough seats in the previous vote.

So he will seek progressive groups for potential support.

As a gesture to progressives, Macron's team hinted the president was considering a delay to portions of his divisive retirement changes implemented recently which extended working life from 62 to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were expecting he would choose a premier from their side. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated without assurances, they would offer no support in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists commented post-consultation that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a premier from the president's centrist camp would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” the president had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.