A heatwave overloaded the Berlaymont building's power system in Brussels,
forcing the European Commission to turn off air conditioning on floors 1–7 while
keeping cooling operational on floors 8–13, including President Von der Leyen’s
office on the 13th floor and most commissioners’ offices. Staff received an
emergency SMS at midday on June 26 notifying the measure; lower‑floor employees
protested, calling the decision "feudal" and "shameful."
