French President Fires Environment Minister

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/03/world/europe/french-president-fires-environment-minister.html

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PARIS — Moving to enforce cabinet discipline, President François Hollande of France on Tuesday fired Delphine Batho, the environment minister, who had said earlier on Tuesday that the proposed 2014 budget was “bad.”

Ms. Batho, 40, had expressed her unhappiness with the 7 percent cut projected for her ministry as France tries to reduce government spending and the budget deficit. She also said, “There’s a disappointment with regard to the government, there’s a doubt about our will for change.”

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault summoned her for a meeting after her comments on RTL Radio. She had been in the job for a little over a year and will be replaced by Philippe Martin, 59.