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The French leader has asked Sébastien Lecornu to resume duties as French prime minister a mere four days after he resigned, sparking a period of intense uncertainty and crisis.

The president stated late on Friday, following meeting key political groups collectively at the official residence, omitting the figures of the extremist parties.

Lecornu's return was unexpected, as he stated on broadcast only two days ago that he was not seeking the position and his “mission is over”.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to hit the ground running. Lecornu faces a time limit on Monday to submit financial plans before lawmakers.

Leadership Hurdles and Fiscal Demands

The Élysée confirmed the president had given him the duty of creating a administration, and his advisors indicated he had been given complete freedom to act.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then released a comprehensive announcement on social media in which he accepted as an obligation the task given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the year's conclusion and tackle the common issues of our countrymen.

Ideological disagreements over how to reduce France's national debt and cut the budget deficit have led to the fall of two of the past three prime ministers in the recent period, so his challenge is enormous.

The nation's debt recently was nearly 114 percent of national income – the third highest in the euro area – and the annual fiscal gap is estimated to hit 5.4 percent of economic output.

The premier emphasized that everyone must contribute the need of fixing the nation's budget. Given the limited time before the completion of his mandate, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to delay their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a National Assembly where Macron has lacks sufficient support to endorse his government. His public standing reached its lowest point in the latest survey, according to a survey that put his approval rating on 14 percent.

Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party, which was excluded of consultations with political chiefs on the end of the week, said that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a “bad joke”.

The National Rally would immediately bring a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose main motivation was fear of an election, Bardella added.

Forming Coalitions

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already devoted 48 hours recently meeting with political groups that might join his government.

By themselves, the central groups are insufficient, and there are divisions within the right-leaning party who have helped prop up Macron's governments since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So he will look to left-wing parties for possible backing.

In an attempt to court the left, Macron's team suggested the president was thinking of postponing to portions of his divisive pension reforms enacted last year which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

It was insufficient of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were anticipating he would appoint a leader from their side. The Socialist leader of the Socialists said without assurances, they would offer no support in a vote of confidence.

The Communist figure from the left-wing party said after meeting the president that the left wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the central bloc would not be accepted by the public.

Greens leader the Green figure said she was “stunned” Macron had given minimal offers to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.