French PM booed on visit to wildfire devastated region

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faced a hostile reception on Monday as he visited the southwestern region devastated by wildfires, with residents jeering his arrival and accusing the government of a slow and inadequate response. The visit came as Lecornu announced new financial aid for the affected area, including tax breaks for businesses and a budget to relocate displaced residents.

The confrontation occurred in the village of Le Porge, where approximately 200 people dressed in black gathered outside the town hall. As Lecornu's motorcade approached for a meeting with the local mayor, the crowd whistled, shouted anti-government slogans, and called for the prime minister to meet with them directly. "It would have been the least he could do," said Tony Veiga, a 65-year-old pensioner. "It really amounts to treating us as if we don't matter."

Lecornu's office stated he had spoken with affected residents and farmers during the visit. Speaking to local officials in the nearby town of Merignac after leaving Le Porge, the prime minister defended the government's actions. "We have absolutely nothing to hide regarding how fire protection operations have been conducted over the...