French Government Survives No-Confidence Vote over Heat Wave

The French government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Monday after the opposition sought to bring it down over its handling of the severe heat wave that struck the country in late June.

Supporters of the motion argued that the government had failed to do enough to limit the impact of the extreme weather. France recorded 2,025 heat-related deaths during the period, and health authorities have warned that the toll is likely to rise further. The motion, submitted by the Green Party, received the backing of 132 lawmakers, well short of the 289 votes needed to pass.

Ahead of the vote, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused the opposition of political grandstanding. He argued that toppling the government would not protect elderly people living alone, cool hospitals or modernize the country's water infrastructure, but would instead add a political crisis to the climate and public health emergencies.

The vote took place as France continued to grapple with the effects of prolonged drought. Firefighters in the country's south-west were battling a major wildfire that forced the evacuation of around 10,000 people.

The early summer heat wave affected much of Western Europe, leaving scorched land highly vulnerable to further wildfires. Forecasters have also warned that temperatures are expected to rise again.

(Reuters, Max)