Matignon's instructions are clear: for their holidays, the ministers are ordered to stay inside the Schengen area. Because of the epidemic risk. A circular was sent to the whole government. But the ministers decided to be zealous: they will put all their suitcases ... in France. The only exception: the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, who will make a getaway to Spain, his wife's homeland… before returning dare-dare to Morbihan.
“Everyone has thought it through. It's not the year to go far. This summer, we're staying in France to support our economy, ”said a member of the government. And lead by example! "If I take a few days, it will be in France to enjoy our magnificent natural heritage", explains the Minister of Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili.
After an exhausting year, some will take a little height. Bruno le Maire, Florence Parly or Emmanuelle Wargon will hike in the Alps. The new Minister of Housing, who was in charge of the deconfinement of mountain huts, will not be disoriented by settling in ... Chamonix. Others will opt for plunging views of the Mediterranean. Eric Dupond-Moretti will rest in Nice. Just like Frédérique Vidal. Emmanuel Macron is expected to spend his vacation at the Fort de Brégançon where he plans to welcome foreign heads of state, as was the case last year, with Vladimir Poutine. Studious holidays…
Some have not planned to ease off
Before the fall budget discussions marathon, Olivier Dussopt will regain strength "in the south, in peace". Like every year, Corsica is all the rage: from Marlène Schiappa, from the Isle of Beauty, to spokesperson Gabriel Attal, via Franck Riester, they will not be far from each other. Elisabeth Borne, newly Minister of Labor, will spend a few days in the Manche department and then in the Var. Annick Girardin will beat the record for the kilometers traveled. The new holder of the Mer portfolio will fly to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, her homeland where her relatives are waiting.
On paper, ministers have a good three weeks. Because the last council of ministers takes place on July 29 and that of the new school year on August 24. But working meetings should shorten this break. Some ministers have not planned to ease off anyway. Like the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin. "If he allows himself a few days, it won't be more than a big weekend," said his entourage. Between forest fires, drowning and road safety, August is always busy, Place Beauvau.
Prime Minister Jean Castex will go back and forth in his town of Prades (Pyrénées-Orientales), but will not be far from Matignon to prepare for the start of the school year. Amélie de Montchalin will go to Périgord, Sébastien Lecornu will be in his stronghold in Eure to lead his campaign for senators. Roselyne Bachelot will meet artists in the Basque Country (where she visits every year). Joining him, too, the useful with the pleasant, Jean-Baptiste Djebarri will accompany rescuers at sea of the SNSM, on the sidelines of his holidays on the Ile de Ré or near Cap Ferré. In the event of serious transport accidents, he will quickly leave his holiday resort. This is the constraint of power: since the deadly heat wave of 2003, marked by the absence of the Minister of Health in the middle of August, the ministers know that they no longer have the right to turn off their cell phones. "We rest, provided there is no trouble by then," slips a minister. To disconnect, we will go back.