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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to return as head of government a mere four days after he left the post, triggering a stretch of intense uncertainty and political turmoil.

Macron made the announcement towards the end of the week, hours after meeting leading factions collectively at the official residence, omitting the leaders of the political extremes.

His reappointment came as a surprise, 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 hit the ground running. The new prime minister faces a cut-off on the start of the week to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Leadership Hurdles and Economic Pressures

The presidency said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given “carte blanche” to act.

Lecornu, who is one of the president's key supporters, then published a comprehensive announcement on social media in which he agreed to take on responsibly the assignment entrusted to me by the president, to strive to finalize financial plans by the December and address the common issues of our fellow citizens.

Ideological disagreements over how to lower France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have caused the ouster of two of the past three prime ministers in the recent period, so his task is daunting.

The nation's debt in the past months was nearly 114 percent of national income – the number three in the currency union – and current shortfall is estimated to reach over five percent of economic output.

Lecornu stated that everyone must contribute the need of fixing government accounts. With only 18 months before the conclusion of his term, he warned that those in the cabinet would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Ruling Amid Division

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a show of support in a legislative body where Macron has no majority to support him. Macron's approval hit a record low this week, according to research that put his public backing on 14 percent.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of Macron's talks with faction heads on Friday, commented that the decision, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the Élysée, is a “bad joke”.

The National Rally would immediately bring a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose only reason for being 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 this week consulting parties that might join his government.

By themselves, the moderate factions are insufficient, and there are disagreements within the conservative Republicans who have helped prop up the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in recent polls.

So Lecornu will consider progressive groups for future alliances.

To gain leftist support, Macron's team hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his controversial retirement changes implemented recently which increased the pension age from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders wanted, as they were hoping he would select a premier from their side. Olivier Faure of the leftist party stated “since we've not been given any guarantees, we won't give any guarantee” to back the prime minister.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party commented post-consultation that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be accepted by the public.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier expressed shock the president had offered the left almost nothing to the left, adding that outcomes would be negative.