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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Sébastien Lecornu to resume duties as head of government just days after he resigned, triggering a week of political upheaval and crisis.

The president declared late on Friday, following consulting with leading factions together at the official residence, omitting the leaders of the far right and far left.

The decision to reinstate him was unexpected, as he stated on broadcast only two days ago that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to start immediately. Lecornu faces a deadline on Monday to submit financial plans before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Economic Pressures

The presidency said the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president implied he had been given full authority to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then issued a detailed message on X in which he accepted “out of duty” the task entrusted to me by the president, to make every effort to secure a national budget by the December and address the everyday problems of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce the country's public debt and balance the books have led to the fall of several leaders in the last year, so his task is enormous.

France's public debt earlier this year was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third largest in the eurozone – and current shortfall is expected to hit over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu stated that no one can avoid the necessity of fixing government accounts. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to put on hold their political goals.

Ruling Amid Division

Compounding the challenge for the prime minister is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where Macron has no majority to support him. Macron's approval hit a record low in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party, which was left out of consultations with party leaders on the end of the week, said that the decision, by a president out of touch at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

The National Rally would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose sole purpose was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to form a government, because he has already used time lately meeting with political groups that might support him.

On their own, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are disagreements within the conservative Republicans who have assisted the ruling coalition since he lacked support in elections last year.

So he will look to progressive groups for potential support.

To gain leftist support, officials suggested the president was evaluating a pause to part of his highly contentious retirement changes implemented recently which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were anticipating he would choose a prime minister from the left. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated without assurances, they would offer no support for the premier.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a premier from the central bloc would not be supported by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier expressed shock Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.