French president: Keep vacations local

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PARIS, July 27 (UPI) -- French President Francois Hollande is encouraging officials to remain in France for their vacations to set an example for the cash-strapped public.

Hollande said he wants his ministers to remain in the country for the summer vacation time to set an example for citizens who can't afford foreign vacations due to the economic situation and so the officials will be "reachable and available" at all times, The Daily Telegraph, Britain, reported Friday.

Hollande also said he wanted to remind ministers of a "morality code" barring them from accepting any vacations at the expense of foreign governments.

The president said he and his girlfriend, Valerie Trierweiler, will spend their vacation time at the presidential retreat, Fort de Bregancon, on the French Riviera.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he will follow suit and spend his vacation time at his holiday home on the Ile de Rhuys in Brittany.