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The French leader has asked Sébastien Lecornu to return as the nation's premier only four days after he left the post, triggering a period of high drama and crisis.

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

His reappointment was unexpected, as he declared on broadcast only two days ago that he was not seeking the position and his task was complete.

Doubts remain whether he will be able to assemble a cabinet, but he will have to act quickly. Lecornu faces a cut-off on the start of the week to put next year's budget before parliament.

Leadership Hurdles and Budgetary Strains

The presidency announced the president had “tasked [Lecornu] with forming a government”, and his advisors indicated he had been given complete freedom to act.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a detailed message on social media in which he consented to “out of duty” the mission given to him by the president, to strive to provide France with a budget by the December and respond to the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Ideological disagreements over how to lower France's national debt and reduce the fiscal shortfall have resulted in the ouster of two of the past three prime ministers in the past twelve months, so his challenge is daunting.

The nation's debt in the past months was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the number three in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to hit 5.4% of GDP.

Lecornu emphasized that no one can avoid the necessity of restoring government accounts. With only 18 months before the end of Macron's presidency, he advised that prospective ministers 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 show of support in a parliament where Macron has lacks sufficient support to back him. Macron's approval hit a record low in the latest survey, according to an Elabe poll that put his public backing on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was left out of Macron's talks with political chiefs on the end of the week, remarked that the decision, by a president increasingly isolated at the official residence, is a poor decision.

His party would immediately bring a challenge against a failing government, whose only reason for being was avoiding a vote, he continued.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least understands the obstacles he faces as he tries to build a coalition, because he has already spent two days recently meeting with parties that might join his government.

By themselves, the central groups are insufficient, and there are splits within the conservative Republicans who have supported Macron's governments since he failed to secure enough seats in elections last year.

So he will consider left-wing parties for potential support.

As a gesture to progressives, officials hinted the president was thinking of postponing to part of his controversial pension reforms enacted last year which increased the pension age from 62 up to 64.

It was insufficient of what left-wing leaders desired, as they were hoping he would select a prime minister from the left. Olivier Faure of the leftist party said lacking commitments, they would withhold backing for the premier.

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

Environmental party head Marine Tondelier said she was “stunned” the president had given minimal offers to the left, adding that the situation would deteriorate.