France — FrontPages.eu

Wildfires rage as heat records fall, budget debate unfolds

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France is grappling with an intensifying heatwave that has shattered several absolute temperature records across the country. A major wildfire is currently devastating over 1,100 hectares in the Landes region, prompting widespread heatwave alerts. This environmental crisis is exacerbated by revelations that the state has failed to establish a promised Canadair air base in the southwest, leading to blame being traded between the Interior Minister and a senator.

In other pressing domestic news, Parisian police have evacuated the Samusocial forecourt, displacing hundreds of social workers and homeless individuals, with many facing an uncertain future. The national tax platform, Impots.gouv.fr, has been hit by a cyberattack, compromising data related to economic services. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is preparing a "compromise budget" for 2027, aiming for a modest deficit reduction. The country also saw a minor charged following the deaths of firefighters in Mérignac, and summer works are worsening mobility inequalities in the Île-de-France region.

On the political front, Sébastien Lecornu currently serves as the Prime Minister, reappointed on October 10, 2025, leading a minority coalition government that includes Renaissance, Les Républicains, MoDem, and HOR. Emmanuel Macron remains the President of France.

Top stories

Record Heat Fuels Major Wildfire in Landes

France is experiencing an intensifying heatwave, with several absolute temperature records broken across the country on Thursday. A significant wildfire is currently ravaging 1,100 hectares in the Landes region, prompting widespread heatwave alerts for 75 departments. Scientists are debating the unprecedented frequency of these heatwaves and their long-term consequences on French forests.

Government Inaction on Firefighting Resources

Despite promises made after the 2022 Gironde fires, a dedicated Canadair air base in Southwest France has not been established. A report highlights the state's failure to deliver on these commitments, with the Interior Minister and a senator reportedly blaming each other for the inaction.

Mediapart Canadair Base in Southwest France: How the State Failed Its Promises ↗

Paris Homeless Evacuation

Early Thursday morning, police evacuated the Samusocial forecourt in Paris, displacing hundreds of social workers and homeless individuals. While 62 people were reportedly taken in by the state, the fate of many others remains uncertain.

Mediapart Samusocial Forecourt Evacuation: 450 People Displaced, 'Everyone Is in the Fog' ↗

Prime Minister Prepares "Compromise Budget" for 2027

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is actively working on the 2027 finance bill, which is described as a "compromise budget" aiming for a modest reduction in the deficit, targeting 4.9% of GDP. The bill is set to be presented on September 30.

Impots.gouv.fr Tax Platform Suffers Cyberattack

Bercy has confirmed that the tax platform Impots.gouv.fr was the victim of a cyberattack in June, resulting in the compromise of a portion of data related to economic services. The ministry reportedly did not detect the data leak itself.

Le Monde The Tax Platform Impots.gouv.fr Victim of a Cyberattack ↗

Summer Works Worsen Paris Region Mobility

Summer works in the Île-de-France region are causing significant mobility challenges for public transport users, with line closures, crowded shuttles, and poor information leading to longer commutes and disproportionately affecting residents of popular neighborhoods.