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President Emmanuel Macron has requested Sébastien Lecornu to resume duties as the nation's premier a mere four days after he resigned, causing a week of high drama and political turmoil.

Macron stated on Friday evening, following meeting all the main parties collectively at the official residence, except for the figures of the far right and far left.

Lecornu's return shocked many, as he declared on broadcast only two days ago that he was not “chasing the job” and his task was complete.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to form a government, but he will have to start immediately. Lecornu faces a time limit on the start of the week to put next year's budget before parliament.

Political Challenges and Economic Pressures

The presidency said the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and those close to the president implied he had been given “carte blanche” to make decisions.

Lecornu, who is one of a trusted associate, then issued a detailed message on X in which he agreed to take on as an obligation the task given to him by the president, to do everything to finalize financial plans by the December and address the everyday problems of our countrymen.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce France's national debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have resulted in the ouster of multiple premiers in the last year, so his task is enormous.

The nation's debt recently was close to 114% of gross domestic product – the third highest in the eurozone – and this year's budget deficit is projected to hit 5.4% of GDP.

Lecornu stated that no one can avoid the necessity of fixing government accounts. In just a year and a half before the conclusion of his term, he advised that anyone joining his government would have to put on hold their aspirations for higher office.

Ruling Amid Division

What makes it even harder for the prime minister is that he will face a show of support in a National Assembly where the president has no majority to support him. His public standing plummeted in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on just 14%.

Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally, which was left out of Macron's talks with political chiefs on Friday, said that the prime minister's return, by a president out of touch at the Élysée, is a misstep.

The National Rally would immediately bring a motion of censure against a struggling administration, whose main motivation was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Building Alliances

The prime minister at least is aware of the challenges he faces as he tries to form a government, because he has already devoted 48 hours recently talking to parties that might join his government.

By themselves, the moderate factions lack a majority, and there are splits within the traditionalists who have assisted the administration since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

So Lecornu will seek progressive groups for future alliances.

In an attempt to court the left, the president's advisors indicated the president was considering a delay to some aspects of his divisive retirement changes enacted last year which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

It was insufficient of what progressive chiefs desired, as they were hoping he would choose a premier from the left. 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.

Fabien Roussel from the Communists commented post-consultation that the left wanted real change, and a premier from the central bloc would not be endorsed by the public.

Environmental party head the Green figure remarked she was surprised the president had given minimal offers to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.