French ministers take 'austere' summer break

Citing France’s protracted economic slump, President François Hollande is taking just one week of vacation this summer and has ordered his cabinet members to cap theirs at two. In addition, ministers have been told to stay close to Paris and given a homework assignment: think about what France will look like in 10 years.

Hollande’s short leash has not gone unnoticed in France, where vacations are considered sacrosanct and the month of August marks an annual exodus toward the beach and countryside, draining office buildings, factories and shops.

However, the obligatory sober summer for ministers is becoming something of a new tradition.