Paris, June 24 (IANS) French President Nicolas Sarkozy has cancelled the annual garden party for the first time since the French Revolution, as part of austerity measures.
Government spokesman Luc Chatel called on ministers and the government to set up examples in implementing austerity measures. Sarkozy has decided not to hold the garden party, French media quoted source of the ruling party, Union of a Popular Movement, as saying.
Thousands of people, including foreign dignitaries, take part in the traditional celebration which is held every year at the Elysee Palace July 14 to mark the abolition of monarchy and establishment of democracy in 1789.
Last year, the feast cost over 732,000 euros ($896,000), Xinhua reported citing official data.
The government has announced a series of austerity measures to curb soaring public deficit. Prime Minister Francois Fillon has issued a plan to cut public spending by 45 billion euros ($54.5 billion) over the next three years.
