Ministers break for holidays

Cabinet ministers have been given signed copies of Carla Bruni’s latest CD and told to be ready for fast work when they return in September.

Several of those attending the pre-holiday break meeting said they had already bought the album which was handed out personally by the former supermodel who signed them baci – ‘kisses’ in Italian.

The Sarkozys are heading off to the presidential retreat in the Var, where Bruni’s family also has a house, and most other ministers are also staying in France.

The ministers for the economy and work, Christine Lagarde and Xavier Bertrand, are heading to Corsica while education minister Xavier Darcos is staying on the Côte d’Azur.

Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux is visiting the Auvergne, then heading south to the Alpes-Maritimes followed by the Var with businessman Jean-Noël Tassez and his partner, actress Charlotte Rampling.

Not all ministers are staying in the country.

Defence Minister Hervé Morin will be holidaying in Colombia, government spokesman Luc Chatel is going to Egypt and Prime Minister François Fillion is heading to Italy.

The holiday list was put together by Le Parisien and Aujourd’hui en France.

Several of the country’s big political hitters chose not to reveal their destinations. Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie said she was staying in France for security reasons but Justice Minister Rachida Dati and Human Rights Minister Rama Yade said they had yet to decide.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner and Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo did not want to reveal their holiday destinations.

Some ministers will be interrupting their holidays to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, where France will represent EU countries.

They are all due to return on August 21 where the parliamentary timetable will be set out for the coming year.

Photo: Afp Michel Gangne