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PoliticsFrench opposition slams government over lack of wildfire preparedness
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As France faces a surge in devastating forest fires, particularly in Gironde, opposition parties from La France Insoumise (LFI) to the National Rally (RN) are criticizing the government for a lack of preparedness and insufficient resources allocated to civil security. The left, led by Ecologists party national secretary Marine Tondelier, specifically denounces a failure to adapt to climate change. On July 27, 2026, Tondelier called for an emergency meeting of political forces to take action. President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Bordeaux, urged unity and noted that the civil security budget has increased from 450 million euros in 2017 to over 800 million euros. However, critics argue the response remains inadequate for the unprecedented scale of the fires, which have put pressure on resources and civil protection services. No civilian deaths have been reported.
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Firefighters assess the situation in the municipality of Saumos (Gironde) on July 27, 2026. BENJAMIN CARROT/ENCRAGE FOR "LE MONDE"
"You don't conduct a post-mortem in the middle of the battle."
As France faces a surge in forest fires—the most devastating of which is still ongoing in Gironde—Emmanuel Macron's call to "remain united," made in Bordeaux on Monday, July 27, has done little to stem criticism from the opposition. Quite the opposite.
Political Consensus on Tribute, but Not on Preparedness
In recent days, the only consensus among political parties has been expressed through unanimous tribute to the forces mobilized on the ground and to the victims affected. However, despite the absence of civilian deaths, the President of the Republic and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu are facing criticism over a state of unpreparedness in the face of the unprecedented scale of the fires, which is putting pressure on resources and civil protection services.
Left-Wing Criticism: Lack of Foresight on Climate Change
On the left, as during the heatwave at the end of June, criticism focuses on the lack of foresight and adaptation to the consequences of climate change.
While the head of state stated on Monday that "what we are experiencing is very atypical" and recalled that the civil security budget has increased from 450 million euros in 2017 to over 800 million euros today, the national secretary of the Ecologists party, Marine Tondelier, used a very different tone on Monday.
"We are living a summer of change," but "we are being told that the main problem with fires is arsonists," the presidential candidate criticized during a press conference. She argued that "there are also arsonists in politics" and denounced a "heavy responsibility of the state in the unpreparedness and in what is happening today."
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Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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French Opposition Criticizes Government Over Lack of Preparedness for Wildfires