Macron Goes on Vacation Amid Heatwaves and Wildfires; Socialist Leader Sarcastic: 'Well Done'

As the French government begins full-scale recovery efforts in wildfire-affected regions, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit a disaster-hit area upon returning from his summer vacation.

On the 17th local time, his first day back at work, President Macron is scheduled to visit the southern Var region to meet with firefighters who have worked hard to contain the blazes.

President Macron is currently spending his summer vacation in the south of France with his wife, Brigitte Macron.

The weekly magazine Paris Match featured a photo of President Macron riding a jet ski at his vacation spot on the front page of its latest issue, reporting on his current activities.

In response, Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party (PS), posted on X, taking a sarcastic jab: "While heatwaves rage and France burns, and some French people cannot even afford to take a vacation, the president enjoys himself on a jet ski. Is this the message being sent to the public? Well done."

France has suffered heavy damage this summer following intense heatwaves and a series of wildfires.

According to preliminary estimates by authorities, approximately 120,000 hectares of forests and vegetation have burned across France this summer.

In particular, the southwestern Gironde region, which was hit by massive wildfires last month, saw 42,000 hectares destroyed, accounting for 35 percent of this year's total wildfire damage area.

Authorities have determined that 9 out of 10 wildfires were caused by human activity.

A total of 474 people have been arrested so far in connection with the successive wildfires that began in early last month in France.

Citing Interior Ministry data, the daily Le Parisien reported on the 14th that 183 of them are minors.

They are suspected of starting the wildfires intentionally or through negligence.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.