Posted on 08/15/2025 4:10:19 PM PDT by Twotone
For all the tedium of American political debates, at least we don’t have to defend air-conditioning.
Not so in France, where “air-conditioning has become part of the political tug of war” amid a summer heat wave, writes The New York Times (NYT).
On the side of air-conditioning, and reason, is Marine Le Pen. Le Pen is variously described as “far-right” (as by the NYT), “right-wing,” or “conservative,” depending on the author’s politics.
She’s promised to deploy a “major air-conditioning equipment plan” if her party gains national control, according to the NYT.
Le Pen is a former leader of the National Rally party and a front-runner for France’s 2027 presidential election. That is, until March, when Le Pen was barred from seeking public office for five years by a criminal court judge, supposedly for embezzlement offenses.
Anti-sweat activism is frowned upon by the likes of Marine Tondelier, the leader of France’s “The Ecologists” party. Tondelier prefers the “greening” of cities and a total “ecological and social” overhaul, according to a translation of remarks from her X account.
“Air-conditioning is what you’d call a maladaptation,” said Dan Lert, deputy mayor of Parisian “ecological transition” policy, according to the NYT. “To fix a real problem, you make it worse.”
Some Europeans are already willing to cough up plenty of money for that “maladaptation.” Italy uses far more air-conditioning than any of its European neighbors, according to Euro News, “despite having some of the highest electricity prices in Europe.” France comes in fifth for air-conditioning use in Europe, Euro News reports.
“Air conditioning remains an indispensable companion in the hardest-hit countries, with more people considering it a necessity rather than a luxury,” the outlet writes.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Federal Statistical Office “recorded a 92% increase in domestic production in 2024” for air-conditioning units, according to Deutsche Welle. Production has reportedly spiked 75% in the past five years. Nearly half of Germans polled cite cost concerns as the primary impediment to buying an air-conditioner, according to Clean Energy Wire. Another 41% said they would buy a unit if temperatures continue to trend upwards.
The next presidential election will truly test the French’s affinity for self-flagellation. One party offers a suicidal immigration policy and heat stroke. The other party offers not that.
About 175,000 people die from “heat related causes” per year in Europe, according to the United Nations. Slightly more than 14,000 Americans have died “directly from heat-related causes” since 1979, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
One has to wonder if Europe’s leaders hate Europeans. No air-conditioning for the French. State-mandated stuck windows for the British. Shuttered nuclear power plants for the Germans.
And waves of unvetted migrants for everyone.
It sure would be interesting to see how many of the elitists live in air conditioned houses, drive air conditioned cars, vacation at air conditions spots, own air conditioned second, third, etc homes, and work in air conditioned work places.
Betcha ALL of them. Every last one.
And i don’t doubt the democrats are pushing for the same for us.
Not a slam dunk if the governments will not allow conservatives to compete. The French government is already harassing Le Pen.
And there is talk of the German government banning the AfD.
How much of this garbage will the average native European accept? Quite a lot, I’m afraid.
🙁
What conservatives?
They all envision remaking the EUSSR in their own image. Not one of them even considers a constitutional republic with limited powers.
“at least we don’t have to defend air-conditioning.”
That’s a crock of bull dung! In 2019 I visited my sister in Woodland, CA and they said they could not turn on their AC until the room temp was 100. For me they did a favor and set it to 80 at night so I could sleep.
We typically sleep at 65, so that 80 was miserable. My stay with them was shortened due to the misery.
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