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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to resume duties as the nation's premier just days after he resigned, sparking a period of intense uncertainty and political turmoil.

Macron declared on Friday evening, shortly after gathering all the main parties in one place at the official residence, except for the representatives of the political extremes.

Lecornu's return was unexpected, as he declared on broadcast just 48 hours prior that he was not seeking the position and his role had concluded.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to act quickly. The new prime minister faces a cut-off on the start of the week to submit financial plans before parliament.

Governing Obstacles and Budgetary Strains

Officials said the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given “carte blanche” to proceed.

The prime minister, who is one of the president's key supporters, then released a long statement on social media in which he consented to responsibly the mission entrusted to me by the president, to do everything 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 bring down government borrowing and cut the budget deficit have led to the ouster of multiple premiers in the last year, so his mission is daunting.

France's public debt earlier this year was close to 114% of national income – the third largest in the currency union – and current shortfall is projected to hit 5.4 percent of the economy.

Lecornu stated that “no-one will be able to shirk” the necessity of repairing government accounts. With only 18 months before the completion of his mandate, he cautioned that prospective ministers would have to delay their presidential ambitions.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where Macron has no majority to back him. His public standing plummeted this week, according to research that put his approval rating on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was excluded of the president's discussions with party leaders on Friday, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a “bad joke”.

The National Rally would promptly introduce a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose only reason for being was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles ahead as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already devoted 48 hours lately consulting parties that might join his government.

Alone, the central groups are insufficient, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have assisted the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in the previous vote.

So he will look to socialist factions for possible backing.

As a gesture to progressives, officials suggested the president was evaluating a pause to some aspects of his divisive retirement changes implemented recently which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

The offer was inadequate of what progressive chiefs hoped for, as they were anticipating he would appoint a premier from the left. The Socialist leader of the Socialists commented without assurances, they would offer no support in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted real change, and a prime minister from the moderate faction would not be accepted by the public.

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier expressed shock the president had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.