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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon his former prime minister to come back as French prime minister only four days after he left the post, causing a period of political upheaval and instability.

Macron declared on Friday evening, shortly after consulting with key political groups in one place at the official residence, omitting the leaders of the far right and far left.

His reappointment shocked many, as he declared on broadcast just 48 hours prior that he was not “chasing the job” and his role had concluded.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a deadline on the start of the week to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

The Élysée confirmed the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and his advisors indicated he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a detailed message on an online platform in which he accepted responsibly the mission assigned by the president, to make every effort to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and tackle the everyday problems of our compatriots.

Ideological disagreements over how to lower the country's public debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have led to the fall of two of the past three prime ministers in the past twelve months, so his challenge is immense.

Government liabilities recently was nearly 114 percent of national income – the third largest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to hit 5.4% of economic output.

Lecornu stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the necessity of restoring government accounts. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for the prime minister is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where Macron has is short of votes to back him. Macron's approval hit a record low this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of the president's discussions with political chiefs on the end of the week, remarked that the prime minister's return, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the official residence, is a “bad joke”.

They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a failing government, whose main motivation was fear of an election, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already used time lately talking to political groups that might support him.

Alone, the moderate factions cannot form a government, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

So he will seek socialist factions for possible backing.

As a gesture to progressives, the president's advisors suggested the president was evaluating a pause to portions of his divisive retirement changes implemented recently which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what socialist figures desired, as they were hoping he would appoint a prime minister from their camp. The Socialist leader of the leftist party said “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party commented post-consultation that the left wanted genuine reform, and a leader from the president's centrist camp would not be endorsed by the public.

Greens leader the Green figure remarked she was surprised the president had provided few concessions to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.