Spanish cabinet members in tie revolt

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — A revolt was brewing in Spain's cabinet Thursday as members refused to wear ties in parliament, aiming to save energy and fight global warming by removing the need for the air conditioning to be turned up.

Labour Minister Celestino Corbacho took off his tie in front of journalists on Thursday in solidarity with Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian who ruffled some feathers when he appeared in parliament a day earlier without one.

"You can be formal with a tie or without one," said Corbacho, adding that wearing a tie should not be "some sort of dogma".

Shortly after Sebastian appeared in the assembly with his more casual look, the president of the parliament, Jose Bono, sent him a tie with small lions stamped on it as a gift via an usher.

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