French ministers sign up to austerity wages and sober code of conduct
Source: The Guardian
Members of France's new government took up their posts on Thursday with President François Hollande's promise of "dignity, simplicity and sobriety" ringing in their ears.
For the first time, half of the 34 appointed ministers are women, and only four of the new ministers have served in government before.
At the first council of ministers on Thursday afternoon, the government voted on its first measure, a 30% wage reduction for all ministers and the president, as promised by Hollande in his election campaign. Instead of 21,194 (£17,045) a month before tax, the president and prime minister will each receive 14,836. Ministerial monthly salaries drop from 13,423 to 9,396.
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In another move in keeping with the tone of sobriety in office, ministers were told they would be expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct. The code rules out presents and private invitations, and encourages ministers to take the train whenever possible and, if travelling by car, to respect the highway code.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/french-ministers-austerity-wages-code
loudsue
(14,087 posts)HE has REALLY good ideas!!
ret5hd
(20,557 posts)And you have to keep a few incumbents around to show you where the restrooms and cafeteria are at.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)all these creative minds from running around like excited kittens. I sincerely wish that government good luck. Hollande looks like a really good person.
Vidar
(18,335 posts)bikebloke
(5,260 posts)So far he's proven that wrong. Bon! Let's hope he sticks with it.