France’s heatwave politics: Far-right leader Le Pen proposes massive AC plan ahead of 2027 election | World News
As Europe swelters under yet another record-breaking heatwave, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen seized the moment to pitch a popul promise ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, a nationwide “grand plan for air conditioning.”
Speaking in Parliament, Le Pen, MP for Pas-de-Calais, declared that “air conditioning saves lives,” and criticised France’s public infrastructure for being ill-equipped to handle extreme heat. Alongside ally Éric Ciotti, she introduced a bill this week proposing mandatory air conditioning in essential public spaces.
The proposal comes as France grapples with scorching summer temperatures and a long-standing reluctance to adopt widespread air conditioning, a cultural preference and sense of pride shared across much of Europe, where cooling systems are often viewed as environmentally unfriendly.
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According to France’s national environment agency Ademe, only 25 per cent of French homes had air conditioning in 2020 which was 14 per cent up from 2016.
But Le Pen has faced strong political criticism for her proposal. Ecological transition miner Agnès Pannier-Runacher dismissed air conditioning as an inadequate adaptation to climate change, warning that such systems heat the streets and contribute to urban heat islands.
“You’re cooling one room but heating another,” she said, adding that France should prioritise building insulation and green urban planning over widespread AC installation.
Green party leader Marine Tondelier echoed the criticism, accusing Le Pen of reducing environmental policy to buying air conditioning units, and calling for structural reforms like planting trees and upgrading buildings.Story continues below this ad
A study from 2020 on Paris air conditioning warned that massive use of AC often vents hot air onto the streets and could intensify heatwaves several degrees Celsius.
Nonetheless, support for cooling systems is quietly growing among French households as heatwaves become more common with more people opting for ACs but they come with a set of rules.
Here are France’s air conditioning rules:
Planning Approval
Detached homes: A declaration is needed if façade changes
Apartments: Co-owner consent + declaration may be required
Balconies: Usually exempt
Noise Limits
Max: 25 dB (day), 20 dB (night)
Keep 3–10m dance from neighbours
Fines possible for violations
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Only licensed professionals
Monobloc (portable) units are exempt
Environmental Rules (RE2020)
Max energy use: 50 kWh/m²/year
Good insulation essential
Heat pumps may get subsidies
Use AC only if temp >26°C
Mandatory maintenance
For units with >2kg refrigerant or >12kW:
Check in Year 1, then every 5 years
Must get certificate
EU Compliance
Must display:
Power (kW)
Noise (dB)
SEER / SCOP ratings
CostTotal (incl. installation): €700–€6,000 (Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh)
