Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
Laurent Cipriani/AP/Press Association Images
Hollande waves after his inauguration ceremony this week
# France
Hollande hands new ministers 30 per cent pay cut
The move means France’s new president is now on a lower salary than Enda Kenny – and his ministers will earn less than junior ministers here.
AS PROMISED, THE first decision of France’s new government has been to announce a 30 per cent pay cut for cabinet ministers.
After unveiling his cabinet, newly-elected president Francois Hollande moved to reduce ministerial pay by almost one-third – something he had pledged to do on the campaign trail.
The reduction was endorsed today at the first meeting of the 34 ministers – half male and half female – in the Socialist government.
According to Reuters, the move will mean Hollande is paid €14,910 a month – down from the €21,300 earned by Nicolas Sarkozy, who increased his own pay when he entered office.
Hollande’s new salary equates to roughly €180,000 annually. Enda Kenny – who also reduced his own pay on taking office – currently earns €200,000 a year.
France’s cabinet ministers will now make around €120,000 a year before tax. This is significantly less than the 15 Irish ministers who make €169,275 – and even less than junior ministers, who are on a salary of €130,042.
However, critics have pointed to the large size of Hollande’s cabinet, which they say has added 14 new posts. Jean-Francois Cope, of the opposition UMP party, told the BBC: “Francois Hollande’s government is going to cost a great deal more to the taxpayer.”
More: New faces – Hollande unveils a half-male, half-female cabinet>
