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Hollande waves after his inauguration ceremony this week Laurent Cipriani/AP/Press Association Images

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>

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    Mute crocodile
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    Mar 7th 2021, 8:31 AM

    Well done pope Francis bringing hope and giving attention to those who have very little and whose lives have been destroyed

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:02 AM

    10,000 to attend Mass with the Pope at a football stadium today. Why does he think it is ok to put their lives at risk of contracting covid at this mass gathering? Of course Fran has been vaccinated so he is alright Jack!

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    Mute JPM
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:10 AM

    @Fionn Darland: obviously never been to croke park. 10000 on a large pitch and in the stands is a very small amount with plenty of room for social distancing.

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:31 AM

    @JPM: Yet our medical advisers are not fine with allowing 10,000 into Croker. Only 200 or so were allowed for the Eid celebration.
    Those attending are likely unvaccinated so they have no protection when mixing, touching turnstiles, using toilets, travelling there on public transport etc. High risk of transferring the disease….no?

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    Mute helen wilson
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    Mar 7th 2021, 9:30 PM

    It would appear that Pope Francis did not have enough information about the virus…..if he did he would not have travelled. Large crowds banned here to avoid serious illness and death

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    Mute andrew
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    Mar 7th 2021, 10:02 PM

    Huge crowd turned out.

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