Paris – June 24, 2026: Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu discussed in an internal letter to cabinet ministers the possibility of a summer without regular holidays and with a high workload. The background is the ongoing heatwave currently affecting France. In the letter, Lecornu urged his ministers to prepare for a scenario in which there will be “no real holidays.” This measure aims to ensure the government’s responsiveness under extreme weather conditions.
The decision to suspend summer vacations for ministers is intended to guarantee that the government can respond swiftly to the challenges posed by the heatwave. France is currently experiencing one of the strongest heatwaves in recent years, with record high temperatures in many regions. These extreme weather conditions have triggered numerous health emergencies and increased pressure on the healthcare system.
Lecornu emphasized in the letter that ministers must remain available and operational during this critical period. He referred to similar measures taken in previous years to deal with abnormal weather. However, the decision to suspend holidays has also sparked controversy, with some ministers expressing concerns about the impact on their personal health and well-being.
Despite these concerns, most cabinet members support this measure. The government stresses that the health and safety of citizens is the highest priority and that extraordinary measures must be taken to meet the challenges of the heatwave. Ministers are expected to accordingly adjust their regular holiday plans and remain on duty throughout the summer.
The decision to suspend ministers’ summer holidays reflects the government’s recognition of the severity of the current heatwave. Experts warn about the long-term effects of such extreme weather on public health and national infrastructure. The government has allocated additional resources to meet the increased demand for medical and emergency services.
Temperatures are expected to continue rising in the coming weeks, further increasing pressure on the healthcare system. As a result, the government has announced that additional measures will be taken to protect the population and mitigate the impact of the heatwave. These include heatstroke prevention campaigns and providing emergency shelters for high-risk groups.
Suspending ministers’ summer vacations is one of a series of measures to ensure the government’s operational capacity under extreme weather conditions. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming weeks and what further actions the government will take to address the challenges posed by the heatwave.
Sources
- Franceinfo