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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to resume duties as French prime minister just days after he resigned, sparking a period of intense uncertainty and crisis.

The president made the announcement towards the end of the week, hours after meeting key political groups collectively at the official residence, omitting the leaders of the far right and far left.

His reappointment came as a surprise, as he stated on television just 48 hours prior that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a cut-off on the start of the week to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée announced the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and Macron's entourage implied he had been given full authority to make decisions.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a detailed message on an online platform in which he accepted “out of duty” the task entrusted to me by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and tackle the common issues of our countrymen.

Ideological disagreements over how to reduce government borrowing and balance the books have caused the ouster of several leaders in the past twelve months, so his mission is daunting.

The nation's debt earlier this year was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the euro area – and current shortfall is projected to amount to 5.4 percent of GDP.

Lecornu said that “no-one will be able to shirk” the imperative of fixing France's public finances. Given the limited time before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to put on hold their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where Macron has is short of votes to endorse his government. His public standing reached its lowest point this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was not invited of Macron's talks with party leaders on Friday, said that the prime minister's return, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the Élysée, is a misstep.

His party would immediately bring a motion of censure against a failing government, whose sole purpose was fear of an election, the leader stated.

Forming Coalitions

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

On their own, the central groups cannot form a government, and there are divisions within the right-leaning party who have assisted Macron's governments since he lacked support in elections last year.

So Lecornu will seek progressive groups for potential support.

To gain leftist support, officials hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his controversial social security adjustments enacted last year which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what socialist figures hoped for, as they were hoping he would select a premier from their side. The Socialist leader of the leftist party stated “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the Communists stated following discussions that the left wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the central bloc would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised Macron had given minimal offers to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.