Matignon’s instructions were clear, however: the ministers should not give the impression that they are on vacation, but be “available”.
The country has been struggling with public transport since the beginning of the strike against the pension reform, and many French see their departures on vacation complicated by the social movement.
But Élisabeth Borne apparently does not seem to have any trouble with that, revealed Le Parisien and has left for a sun-drenched holiday.
The Minister of the Environment already left on Monday, with her family, for Marrakech, in Morocco, amid transport chaos, widespread power cuts and inclement weather on France’s Atlantic coast.
When contacted, her obviously embarrassed advisor, according to Le Parisien, said that she has left “only for a few days” and that she will be “fully available at her office” next week.
In addition, she will be “in permanent contact” with the Secretary of State for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, who remained visible on the media front. “We have not established a mileage rule or a ban on leaving the country. What we are asking ministers to be is available and responsive, but they are entitled to vacation. Élisabeth Borne has given a lot to the country this year,” said an advisor to Matignon.
And what about the minister responsible for ecology going on very polluting plane trip? “If we expect her to move no more, how do we go to conferences around the world?” We must remain reasonable,” was the reply from Matignon.