French minister advises: 'Wear a turtleneck sweater this winter'
France's finance minister has branched out into fashion advice - suggesting that Frenchmen wear "turtleneck sweaters" rather than ties this winter, in order to help save energy.
Bruno Le Maire, interviewed on Tuesday by France Inter radio, said: "You will no longer see me with a tie but with a turtleneck. And I think it will be very good, it will allow us to save energy."
.@BrunoLeMaire sur la sobriété énergétique : "Nous ne mettrons pas le chauffage [au ministère] tant que la température ne sera pas en-dessous de 19°C" #le7930inter pic.twitter.com/5VaCnAggvu
— France Inter (@franceinter) September 27, 2022
He was commenting on the government's energy-saving plans for the winter, which include limiting the heating in public buildings and government ministries to a maximum of 19C.
Households are also advised not to turn their heating up above 19C, but for private individuals this is voluntary. There are also exceptions to the rules for public buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Le Maire is not the only European politician to give an energy-saving lead through fashion - this summer Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez announced that he would no longer wear ties to the office, although in his case this was to keep cool as Spain imposed limits on air-conditioning.
France's plan for sobriété enérgetique (energy-saving) will be revealed in full in October, but involves public buildings and businesses making cuts to their energy usage, while households are advised - although not required - to do likewise. France intends to cut its total energy usage by 10 percent this winter in order to avoid the risk of blackouts since Russia has cut off its gas supplies.
REVEALED How likely are blackouts in France this winter?
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Bruno Le Maire, interviewed on Tuesday by France Inter radio, said: "You will no longer see me with a tie but with a turtleneck. And I think it will be very good, it will allow us to save energy."
.@BrunoLeMaire sur la sobriété énergétique : "Nous ne mettrons pas le chauffage [au ministère] tant que la température ne sera pas en-dessous de 19°C" #le7930inter pic.twitter.com/5VaCnAggvu
— France Inter (@franceinter) September 27, 2022
He was commenting on the government's energy-saving plans for the winter, which include limiting the heating in public buildings and government ministries to a maximum of 19C.
Households are also advised not to turn their heating up above 19C, but for private individuals this is voluntary. There are also exceptions to the rules for public buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Le Maire is not the only European politician to give an energy-saving lead through fashion - this summer Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez announced that he would no longer wear ties to the office, although in his case this was to keep cool as Spain imposed limits on air-conditioning.
France's plan for sobriété enérgetique (energy-saving) will be revealed in full in October, but involves public buildings and businesses making cuts to their energy usage, while households are advised - although not required - to do likewise. France intends to cut its total energy usage by 10 percent this winter in order to avoid the risk of blackouts since Russia has cut off its gas supplies.
REVEALED How likely are blackouts in France this winter?
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