French ministers criticised for wearing winter clothes indoors

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } French ministers criticised for wearing winter clothes indoorsWorld News > PoliticsFrench ministers have been criticised for wearing winter clothes indoors as part of a campaign to encourage people to turn down the heat and wear woolly clothes to lower energy bills, as the country faces energy shortages this winter amid the war in Ukraine.

What's happened

French ministers have been photographed in puffer jackets and polo necks instead of suits, in an attempt to set an example on wrapping up warm as the nation struggles to afford heating this winter.

Why it matters

The French government's campaign to encourage people to wear warmer clothes to save energy has been criticised as out of touch with people's struggles over the energy crisis and cost of living. The campaign has been compared to Marie Antoinette's famous quote 'let them eat cake'.

What the papers say

The Guardian and The Times both report on the story, with The Guardian focusing on the fashion choices of the ministers and the backlash from political opponents, while The Times highlights the government's campaign to save energy and the use of polo neck sweaters instead of shirts and ties. Politico also reports on the story, with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire pushing back against claims the government was mollycoddling the public over how to save energy.

How we got here

The French government's campaign to save energy comes amid energy shortages this winter due to the war in Ukraine. The campaign has been criticised by political opponents as out of touch with people's struggles over the energy crisis and cost of living.