Noblesse oblige: always be sharp, always be ready to show the best of yourself, be photogenic and telegenic, always be good looking in all circumstances, institutional or not, however in public.
European commissioners spend 2,7 million to "make themselves look good"
And the 27 European commissioners know this well, as they don't go too subtle about rouge to make themselves look good: 2 million 756 thousand and 286 euros is in fact spending in the last 41 months for operators and make-up artists for customary photos, images accompanying articles, video messages. A average - to commissioner - of almost 2.500 euros per month (2.489, to be picky). And, always on average, without distinction between men and women (14 male commissioners, 13 women, down to 12 from May 5 with the departure of Bulgarian Marija Gabriel called to build the government structure in Bulgaria, without however succeeding), since these expenses do not include those for hairdressers, therefore combing and styling for the ritual 'clicks' do not weigh in the operating costs of the community executive.
67 thousand euros per month for photographers and video technicians
The von der Leyen commission took office on 1 December 2019. In 41 months of activity, this desire to look good has therefore cost on average 67.226 euros per month. An expense that probably makes more than one European citizen turn up their noses and mouths.
Surely it made them turn upside down German Christine Anderson, European sovereignist, who asked for clarification. The Commissioner for the Budget, Johannes Hahn, answered her, explaining these expenses as follows: “the photographic coverage of the activities of the members of the college is essential for informing citizens about the work of the Commission and ensuring transparency”. In particular, he clarified that the investments made so far for quality photos and videos have been 95 percent of the total in photographers and video technicians.
So the cost is broken down as follows: €2.618.471 for products for communication purposes and the difference, 137.815 euros, for the make-up used for the play of light. And in any case all these items of expenditure include "wages and mission costs".
And if it is true that those who want to appear a little beautiful must suffer, in this case it can be said that "those who want to appear a little beautiful must pay". At whose expense, however, it is not clear.