As France faces "killer heat" with temperatures soaring above 40°C (104°F) as early as June, a heated debate has erupted in the political arena over the use of air conditioning.

According to the British daily Financial Times (FT) on June 24 (local time), Marine Le Pen, a presidential candidate from the far-right National Rally (RN), has taken center stage in the air conditioning controversy.

In a recent parliamentary speech, she stated, "It is absurd that people are losing their lives due to heatwaves," adding, "If I am elected president, I will push for a plan to install large-scale cooling facilities, starting with hospitals, nursing homes, and schools where the most vulnerable populations are located."

Making air conditioning a campaign pledge appears to be a political move to attack the ruling party by highlighting the rising human toll in France caused by the heatwave that has gripped Western Europe since early summer.

She has specifically accused left-wing parties and environmental activists of ideologically opposing air conditioning at the expense of public health.

In fact, it has been reported that approximately 40 people have drowned in France since the heatwave began on June 18.

On June 23, which marked the "hottest day in French history," major tourist attractions in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, entered emergency mode by shortening their operating hours.

On the other hand, voices from the left-wing camp are calling for minimizing the use of air conditioning.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) and a presidential rival to Le Pen, argued that it is "absolutely out of the question," stating, "Installing air conditioning everywhere will only exacerbate the damage (caused by carbon emissions)."

Although 70% of France's electricity is generated from low-carbon nuclear power, the FT reported that caution regarding the use of air conditioning remains prevalent.

Western European countries like France have historically had low rates of air conditioning in homes and public facilities because the intensity and duration of summer heatwaves were not severe. However, as climate change has led to a significant increase in extreme heat phenomena over the past decade, perceptions of air conditioning are gradually shifting.

Additionally, there remains a view that excessive use of air conditioning can cause colds for health reasons.

However, the fact that the debate over air conditioning has spread to the political sphere is not unrelated to the current situation ahead of next year's presidential election, where a two-way race between the far-right and far-left is expected amid the struggles of the centrist camp.

In a public opinion poll conducted in May, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right RN, took an overwhelming lead with 32% support in the first round of voting, where candidates from all parties compete.

Édouard Philippe, the mayor of Le Havre and former prime minister under the Emmanuel Macron administration, placed second with 17%, securing a spot in the runoff, but he is being closely pursued by Mélenchon of the far-left LFI, who holds 16%.

The Green Party, which has placed environmental protection at the forefront of its agenda, has also joined the air conditioning debate.

According to the FT, Marine Tondelier, leader of the Green Party and a presidential candidate, mocked the RN for suddenly paying attention to the voices of scientists who have been warning about the climate crisis for years.