There has been a commotion in France after Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said he would wear a turtleneck sweater to save energy. Several other ministers and even President Emmanuel Macron already seemed to follow suit.
“You will no longer see me in a tie, but in a turtleneck sweater,” said Minister Le Maire in an interview with Radio France two weeks ago, after the government took measures to limit energy consumption in France. This included a maximum temperature of 19 degrees at home and in the office. “I think this is very good. It will enable us to save energy, to show that we are frugal.”
To emphasize his message, Le Maire posted a photo of himself in a turtleneck sweater on Twitter and another on Instagram. Several ministers seemed to jump on the bandwagon and President Emmanuel Macron also showed himself in a turtleneck sweater. A black one under a blue suit for a video message and a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and a gray one for a video on Instagram.
Le Pen
On social media, the turtlenecks were made fun of, led by opposition leader Marine Le Pen. “Is the heating not high enough? Have them carry cashmere. Marie-Antoinette Le Maire”, she sneered, referring to Marie-Antoinette’s alleged statement ‘let them eat cake’ when she learned that the French people had run out of bread. And with which she showed that she did not know what was going on with the people.
Marine Le Pen
@MLP_official
Last weekend saw a new development in the protracted smear campaign when Le Maire posted a lengthy message on Facebook, in which he was alternately angry and defensive. “I’m sorry to bother you for a turtleneck sweater,” he said. “It keeps you warm in the winter. You don’t need a minister to know that. And even less so are clothing advice. I totally agree with that. At the risk of surprising you after a week in which the opposite has been said: I have never advised anyone to wear a turtleneck.”
He then called the whole discussion “a lot of noise for little substance” and added: “I can get over the fact that I can’t get in anywhere without being immediately asked why I’m not wearing my turtleneck … In a sweater, a tie, a bathing suit or a suit, it doesn’t matter: I don’t give up on my ideas.”
Le Maire has meanwhile been spotted in a suit and tie and Macron has also shown himself that way ever since.
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