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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to resume duties as head of government a mere four days after he resigned, triggering a stretch of political upheaval and political turmoil.

The president declared towards the end of the week, following gathering leading factions together at the presidential palace, omitting the representatives of the extremist parties.

Lecornu's return was unexpected, as he stated on television only two days ago that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. Lecornu faces a cut-off on Monday to put next year's budget before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Budgetary Strains

The presidency confirmed the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors suggested he had been given full authority to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then issued a long statement on an online platform in which he consented to responsibly the task given to him by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the year's conclusion and respond to the daily concerns of our fellow citizens.

Political divisions over how to reduce the country's public debt and balance the books have resulted in the ouster of several leaders in the recent period, so his challenge is daunting.

Government liabilities earlier this year was nearly 114 percent of national income – the third largest in the euro area – and this year's budget deficit is projected to reach over five percent of economic output.

The premier emphasized that no one can avoid the necessity of repairing France's public finances. Given the limited time before the end of Macron's presidency, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to delay their presidential ambitions.

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 no majority to support him. The president's popularity hit a record low in the latest survey, according to a survey that put his support level on just 14%.

The far-right leader of the National Rally party, which was excluded of the president's discussions with party leaders on the end of the week, remarked that the decision, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a “bad joke”.

They would immediately bring a challenge against a failing government, whose sole purpose was dreading polls, he continued.

Forming Coalitions

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already devoted 48 hours this week meeting with factions that might support him.

On their own, the moderate factions cannot form a government, and there are disagreements within the traditionalists who have helped prop up the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in recent polls.

So he will consider socialist factions for possible backing.

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

The offer was inadequate of what left-wing leaders wanted, as they were anticipating he would select a premier from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party said without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the Communists commented post-consultation that the left wanted substantive shifts, and a premier from the moderate faction would not be supported by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised the president had given minimal offers to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.