Hollande does his bit to cut costs

ELECTRIC cars and fewer official visits by plane have helped President Hollande cut his spending - a year ahead of target.

The Elysée presidential palace's expenditure fell below the €100million mark last year, at €98.2million, according to officially audited figures approved by France's Cour des Comptes.

Cutting spending was one of Hollande's 2012 election campaign pledges. By the end of his term in office, the Elysée is due to have saved €17.2million in costs.

Staff numbers have been cut from 836 to 806 - and the number of official vehicles owned by the Elysée fell from 88 to 69, eight of which are now all-electric cars.

President Hollande also made fewer international visits last year - and made more efficient use of his itinerary. The presidential Airbus A330 was used just 11 times, representing a 17% cost saving in a year.

The one area where the Elysée is spending more, however, is on official receptions. The number of events climbed by a third last year, bringing with it extra catering and cleaning costs.