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The French leader has requested Sébastien Lecornu to come back as French prime minister a mere four days after he left the post, causing a period of intense uncertainty and instability.

Macron declared towards the end of the week, shortly after meeting leading factions collectively at the official residence, omitting the representatives of the far right and far left.

Lecornu's return shocked many, as he stated on national TV recently that he was not “chasing the job” and his task was complete.

It is not even certain whether he will be able to establish a ruling coalition, but he will have to hit the ground running. The new prime minister faces a time limit on Monday to present the annual budget before lawmakers.

Leadership Hurdles and Economic Pressures

The presidency confirmed the president had assigned him to build a cabinet, and his advisors suggested he had been given complete freedom to act.

The prime minister, who is one of a trusted associate, then published a detailed message on an online platform in which he agreed to take on as an obligation the task given to him by the president, to strive to secure a national budget by the year's conclusion and address the everyday problems of our fellow citizens.

Partisan conflicts over how to reduce government borrowing and balance the books have caused the resignation of two of the past three prime ministers in the last year, so his challenge is immense.

France's public debt recently was close to 114% of economic output (GDP) – the third largest in the currency union – and this year's budget deficit is estimated to hit 5.4% of economic output.

The premier said that everyone must contribute the need of restoring France's public finances. In just a year and a half before the conclusion of his term, he cautioned that those in the cabinet would have to set aside their aspirations for higher office.

Leading Without Support

Compounding the challenge for Lecornu is that he will face a parliamentary test in a parliament where Macron has is short of votes to support him. Macron's approval plummeted this week, according to an Elabe poll that put his support level on 14%.

The far-right leader of the right-wing group, which was not invited of the president's discussions with party leaders on Friday, commented that Lecornu's reappointment, by a president “more than ever isolated and disconnected” at the presidential palace, is a misstep.

They would promptly introduce a challenge against a doomed coalition, whose sole purpose was dreading polls, Bardella added.

Seeking Support

Lecornu at least knows the pitfalls in his path as he tries to establish a cabinet, because he has already spent two days recently talking to parties that might support him.

On their own, the central groups are insufficient, and there are disagreements within the traditionalists who have assisted the ruling coalition since he lost his majority in the previous vote.

So Lecornu will seek progressive groups for potential support.

In an attempt to court the left, officials suggested the president was evaluating a pause to portions of his highly contentious pension reforms passed in 2023 which extended working life from 62 up to 64.

That fell short of what left-wing leaders hoped for, as they were hoping he would appoint a leader from their side. The Socialist leader of the Socialists commented lacking commitments, they would withhold backing in a vote of confidence.

Fabien Roussel from the left-wing party stated following discussions that the progressive camp wanted genuine reform, and a prime minister from the moderate faction would not be accepted by the public.

Environmental party head the Green figure remarked she was surprised Macron had offered the left almost nothing to the progressives, adding that outcomes would be negative.