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President Emmanuel Macron has called upon his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier only four days after he left the post, causing a week of political upheaval and crisis.

The president declared on Friday evening, shortly after gathering all the main parties in one place at the presidential palace, omitting the figures of the political extremes.

The decision to reinstate him came as a surprise, as he stated on television just 48 hours prior that he was not interested in returning and his task was complete.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a cut-off on Monday to put next year's budget before the National Assembly.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

The Élysée said the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given full authority to act.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then published a comprehensive announcement on social media in which he accepted as an obligation the mission given to him by the president, to do everything to finalize financial plans by the end of the year and tackle the everyday problems of our compatriots.

Ideological disagreements over how to bring down the country's public debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have caused the resignation of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was almost 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is projected to hit 5.4% of economic output.

The premier stated that everyone must contribute the imperative of restoring government accounts. In just a year and a half before the end of Macron's presidency, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to set aside their presidential ambitions.

Ruling Amid Division

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where the president has no majority to back him. The president's popularity hit a record low this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his support level on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of Macron's talks with political chiefs on the end of the week, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a misstep.

They would immediately bring a vote of no confidence against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was dreading polls, the leader stated.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least understands the obstacles ahead as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already used time lately talking to factions that might participate in his administration.

Alone, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are divisions within the right-leaning party who have helped prop up the administration since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will look to progressive groups for potential support.

In an attempt to court the left, the president's advisors indicated the president was considering a delay to some aspects of his controversial social security adjustments enacted last year which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were expecting he would appoint a prime minister from their side. The Socialist leader of the leftist party said lacking commitments, they would withhold backing in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be endorsed by the citizens.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.