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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon his former prime minister to return as head of government just days after he stepped down, sparking a period of political upheaval and political turmoil.

The president declared late on Friday, shortly after meeting key political groups in one place at the Élysée Palace, omitting the representatives of the extremist parties.

His reappointment came as a surprise, as he said on television only two days ago that he was not interested in returning and his “mission is over”.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, 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 the National Assembly.

Political Challenges and Budgetary Strains

Officials announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and his advisors indicated he had been given full authority to make decisions.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then issued a long statement on an online platform in which he consented to “out of duty” the mission assigned by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the common issues of our compatriots.

Partisan conflicts over how to bring down France's national debt and balance the books have led to the ouster of several leaders in the past twelve months, so his challenge is immense.

The nation's debt recently was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the number three in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is projected to amount to over five percent of the economy.

The premier emphasized that no one can avoid the imperative of repairing the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he warned that anyone joining his government would have to put on hold their political goals.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a parliamentary test in a legislative body where the president has is short of votes to back him. His public standing hit a record low this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his support level on 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of consultations with party leaders on Friday, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a “bad joke”.

The National Rally would immediately bring a motion of censure against a failing government, whose main motivation was dreading polls, he continued.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least knows the pitfalls he faces as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already used time lately talking to political groups that might join his government.

By themselves, the central groups are insufficient, and there are disagreements within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he lost his majority in elections last year.

So Lecornu will seek left-wing parties for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was considering a delay to part of his highly contentious retirement changes implemented recently which increased the pension age from the early sixties.

The offer was inadequate of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were expecting he would appoint a premier from their camp. The Socialist leader of the leftist party commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a leader from the moderate faction would not be endorsed by the French people.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” the president had given minimal offers to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.