Rassemblement National presents a 40-billion-euro plan to air-condition buildings

Paris – 25 June 2026: In light of prolonged heatwaves in France, the Rassemblement National (RN) has presented a comprehensive plan to air-condition buildings. The plan envisages investments of 40 billion euros and is divided into two main areas: First, public facilities such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes will be equipped with air conditioning. The next step is to install air conditioning in private residential buildings.

Jean-Philippe Tanguy, an RN member of parliament, explained in an interview with TF1 on 23 June 2026 that the “100% rénov” plan is based on interest-free loans and will be implemented by 2030. He stressed that between 30 and 40 million air conditioners would need to be installed to effectively cope with rising temperatures. Tanguy argued that the costs would be offset by energy savings.

The RN initiative is not the first of its kind. In May 2026, Laure Lavalette, an RN member of parliament for the Var department, supported the idea of a national air-conditioning plan. She stressed the need to equip both public and private buildings with air conditioning in order to protect people from extreme temperatures.

Reactions to the RN proposal have been quite varied. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the La France Insoumise party, criticised Marine Le Pen’s “air-condition everything” approach and warned of the possible negative effects of mass air-conditioning installations. He stressed that individual air conditioners are not a solution to the challenges of climate change.

At the same time, the French government has responded to the energy crisis by implementing various measures to ensure energy supplies and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These measures include investments in renewable energy and the promotion of energy-saving practices.

The RN proposal to air-condition buildings raises questions regarding funding sources and the long-term environmental impact. Critics argue that mass installation of air conditioners could lead to increased energy consumption, contributing to the worsening of climate change.

Overall, the debate over the RN’s air-conditioning plan shows different approaches to addressing the challenges of climate change in France. While some parties support technical solutions such as air conditioning, others advocate structural changes and reduced energy consumption.

The discussion about the best measures for adapting to climate change is expected to become increasingly intense in the coming months, especially ahead of parliamentary elections and continuing heatwaves across the country.