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The French leader has asked his former prime minister to come back as the nation's premier only four days after he stepped down, causing a stretch of high drama and political turmoil.

The president stated late on Friday, hours after meeting all the main parties together at the presidential palace, excluding the representatives of the far right and far left.

The decision to reinstate him came as a surprise, as he stated on national TV 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 act quickly. Lecornu faces a cut-off on Monday to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Political Challenges and Fiscal Demands

The presidency announced the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and those close to the president suggested he had been given full authority to make decisions.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then published a comprehensive announcement on X in which he accepted “out of duty” the assignment assigned by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the December and tackle the common issues of our compatriots.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce France's national debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have led to the ouster of two of the past three prime ministers in the recent period, so his task is immense.

The nation's debt earlier this year was close to 114% of national income – the number three in the euro area – and current shortfall is expected to amount to 5.4 percent of the economy.

Lecornu said that everyone must contribute the necessity of repairing France's public finances. Given the limited time before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that anyone joining his government would have to delay their presidential ambitions.

Leading Without Support

Adding to the difficulty for Lecornu is that he will face a vote of confidence in a parliament where Macron has lacks sufficient support to support him. Macron's approval hit a record low this week, according to a survey that put his public backing on 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party, which was not invited of the president's discussions with party leaders on Friday, remarked that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president out of touch at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

They would immediately bring a motion of censure against a doomed coalition, whose only reason for being was avoiding a vote, he continued.

Forming Coalitions

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles in his path as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already used time recently talking to political groups that might support him.

By themselves, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are divisions within the traditionalists who have assisted the ruling coalition since he lacked support in elections last year.

So Lecornu will consider socialist factions for possible backing.

In an attempt to court the left, officials hinted the president was considering a delay to some aspects of his highly contentious pension reforms passed in 2023 which raised the retirement age from the early sixties.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were hoping he would select a prime minister from their side. The Socialist leader of the leftist party commented without assurances, they would offer no support to back the prime minister.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists said after meeting the president that the progressive camp wanted substantive shifts, and a premier from the president's centrist camp would not be accepted by the citizens.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier remarked she was surprised Macron had provided few concessions to the left, adding that “all of this is going to turn out very badly”.