French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faced a hostile reception from residents in the village of Le Porge on Monday, as they voiced anger over the government's response to devastating wildfires that destroyed 183 homes in late July and early August. Locals jeered, whistled, and shouted anti-government slogans, feeling that their community was neglected in favor of protecting the upscale Cap-Ferret peninsula, a popular holiday destination for affluent Parisians.
"Where is he? Where is he?" the crowd chanted. Tony Veiga, a 65-year-old pensioner, stated that a meeting with the prime minister "would have been the least he could do," adding that the situation amounted to "treating us as if we don't matter."
Ludivine Daurignac, who is organizing a group of affected residents seeking "truth, transparency and justice," expressed frustration that Lecornu did not meet directly with them, noting that riot police blocked their access. The wildfires, which raged from late July to August 1, became France's largest since 1949, burning through 42,000 hectares and forcing the evacuation of over 220,000 residents and tourists. The flames came within 10 miles of the Bordeaux area.
Following the incident in Le Porge, Lecornu met with local officials in the nearby town of Merignac. He announced measures aimed at helping residents rebuild, including approximately €12 million (£10.2 million) in aid for the Gironde and Landes regions. Lecornu stated that these funds would enable local authorities to "launch projects without delay and, ultimately, enable them to build a sort of recovery plan."
His office asserted that he had spoken with affected residents and farmers, and Lecornu himself declared, "We have absolutely nothing to hide regarding how fire protection operations have been conducted over the past few weeks." He also announced that building permits for the reconstruction of destroyed homes would be issued within a month, or potentially faster.
Lecornu warned that he would denounce any insurers who "do not play the game." He had made an unannounced visit to Le Porge on Sunday afternoon to tour the municipality with the mayor, without press present.
The wildfire crisis presents a significant challenge for Lecornu, who was appointed prime minister in September of the previous year. Local reports have suggested that his handling of the crisis is being observed by the president's office as a potential factor for the 2027 elections.
