Heatwave: Long power outages in western Paris highlight a major social movement at Enedis

The heatwave has disrupted several electrical systems in Europe, particularly in France. However, in Paris, a labor strike among Enedis agents has amplified the heatwave's impact on the network. Since Saturday, July 5, power outages have affected numerous areas, streets, and buildings in western Paris: Galeries Lafayette, the National Assembly buildings, and many streets in the 15th and 16th arrondissements, as far as Avenue de l'Opéra. "Outage times are usually quite short in Paris, compared to many other places in the rest of France," Arnaud Baret, a CGT Enedis Paris union representative, told Libération . But he added: "What is certain is that if there had been no labor strike, the power would have been restored more quickly."

However, the situation in Paris remains tense. Power will not be restored until 2 a.m. on the night of Sunday to Monday in some streets of the 16th arrondissement, or even until 5:30 p.m. on Monday.