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President Emmanuel Macron has asked his former prime minister to return as head of government just days after he stepped down, sparking a stretch of intense uncertainty and crisis.

Macron declared on Friday evening, shortly after gathering key political groups collectively at the official residence, except for the representatives of the extremist parties.

His reappointment shocked many, as he declared on broadcast just 48 hours prior that he was not interested in returning and his role had concluded.

There is uncertainty whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to start immediately. He faces a time limit on Monday to put next year's budget before the National Assembly.

Governing Obstacles and Fiscal Demands

Officials said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and Macron's entourage indicated he had been given full authority to proceed.

Lecornu, who is one of Macron's closest allies, then issued a detailed message on an online platform in which he agreed to take on as an obligation the assignment given to him by the president, to do everything to provide France with a budget by the end of the year and respond to the common issues of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to bring down government borrowing and balance the books have caused the resignation of several leaders in the last year, so his challenge is immense.

Government liabilities in the past months was nearly 114 percent of economic output (GDP) – the third highest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is expected to hit 5.4% of the economy.

The premier emphasized that everyone must contribute the imperative of repairing government accounts. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that those in the cabinet would have to put on hold their presidential ambitions.

Leading Without Support

What makes it even harder for Lecornu is that he will face a vote of confidence in a legislative body where the president has no majority to support him. His public standing reached its lowest point this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his approval rating on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party, which was not invited of the president's discussions with political chiefs on the end of the week, remarked that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the presidential palace, is a poor decision.

They would quickly propose a motion of censure against a failing government, whose only reason for being was avoiding a vote, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least knows the pitfalls in his path as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already devoted 48 hours lately consulting factions that might participate in his administration.

By themselves, the moderate factions are insufficient, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have assisted the ruling coalition since he lacked support in the previous vote.

So he will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

As a gesture to progressives, Macron's team hinted the president was thinking of postponing to some aspects of his highly contentious pension reforms implemented recently which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what progressive chiefs hoped for, as they were anticipating he would choose a premier from their side. The Socialist leader of the Socialists stated lacking commitments, they would withhold backing for the premier.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the left wanted real change, and a premier from the president's centrist camp would not be supported by the citizens.

Greens leader the Green figure expressed shock the president had given minimal offers to the progressives, adding that the situation would deteriorate.