Sarkozy accepts two French ministers' resignations
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed and accepted the resignations of two ministers late Sunday.
"Secretaries of State, Alain Joyandet and Bristian Blanc, have submitted their resignations," and the President Sarkozy and the Prime Minister Francois Fillon had accepted their resignations, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
Joyandet was the state secretary (junior minister) for cooperation and Blanc was responsible of developing new Paris transport system (the Greater Paris Plan).
Both of the two ministers have recently sunk into spending scandals, which was an open mockery to a series of austerity measures announced by the government.
According to earlier reports, Blanc has spent 12,000 euros (15, 043 U.S. dollars) of public money on Havana cigars and was ordered to pay the state back late June.
Similarly, Joyandet was accused of spending 116,500 euros (146, 044 dollars) on a private jet on a business trip, after which Sarkozy straight demanded that any use of private jets should be under the prime minister's approval.
Following the scandals, additionally, Sarkozy published a letter outlining a set of requirements to restrain ministers' spending, and ordering ministers to lead an economical lifestyle as state exemplars.
The Joyandet's work will be performed by the Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and Blanc's function will be taken by Michel Mercier, Minister for Rural and Territorial Affairs, the Elysee statement said.
