Ségolène Royal 'bans kisses, cleavage' at French ministry

PARIS

French Environment and Energy Minister Segolene Royal leaves the Elysee palace on April 23, 2014, in Paris, after the weekly cabinet meeting. AFP Photo

Ségolène Royal, French President François Hollande's former partner and the mother of his four children, has reportedly ordered female staff at the Environment Ministry to “dress appropriately” and avoid revealing tops.

According to French weekly Le Point, Royal, who joined the French government in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, has also banned smoking in the ministry’s courtyard and gardens in her presence.

Staff quoted by Le Point said they were now required to stand up when the minister entered the room.

Last week, L’Express, another French weekly, said the new environment minister had also banned the “bise”, France’s traditional cheek kiss, urging staff to greet her with a more formal handshake instead.

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