Paris – June 24, 2026: Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu discussed the possibility of a busy summer without the usual holiday period in an internal letter to cabinet ministers. This is against the backdrop of the ongoing heatwave hitting France. In the letter, Lecornu asked the ministers to prepare for a “no substantial holiday” scenario. This measure aims to maintain the government’s response capacity during extreme weather conditions.
The decision to suspend the summer holidays of ministers was made to ensure a government structure that can respond quickly to the challenges of the heatwave. France is currently experiencing one of the most intense heatwaves in recent years, breaking temperature records in many regions. This extreme weather has already caused numerous health emergencies and increased the burden on the medical system.
In the letter, Lecornu emphasized the necessity for ministers to always be on standby and able to perform their duties during this critical period. He referred to previous instances where similar measures were taken to respond to comparable weather conditions. However, the decision to suspend holidays sparked discussions, with some ministers expressing concerns about the impact on their personal health and welfare.
Despite these concerns, the majority of ministers supported this measure. The government stressed that the health and safety of the public are the top priority and that special measures are required to address the challenges of the heatwave. Ministers are expected to alter their usual holiday plans and remain on duty throughout the summer.
The decision to suspend ministers’ summer holidays reflects how seriously the government is taking the current heatwave. Experts have warned about the long-term effects such extreme weather conditions could have on public health and the nation’s infrastructure. The government has already deployed additional resources to accommodate the increasing demand for healthcare and emergency services.
Temperatures are expected to rise further over the coming weeks, increasing the strain on the healthcare system. The government has declared its intention to take further measures to protect citizens and minimize the impact of the heatwave. These include information campaigns to prevent heatstroke and the establishment of emergency shelters for particularly vulnerable groups.
The decision to suspend ministers’ summer holidays is part of a series of measures to ensure the government’s capacity to respond to such abnormal weather conditions. Attention will focus on how the situation evolves in the coming weeks and how the government continues to address the challenges of the heatwave.
Sources
- Franceinfo