A little bit of trick, a system to hair, the photo of ritual. The bill? Here it is: approximately 2 million euro. This is how much was spent in 2023 for the 27 members of the European Commission to take care of their appearance and bear witness to their institutional activity.
It is none other than the president of the Community executive, Ursula von der Leyen, who admits and explains it, responding to a question from the German MEP Daniel Freund, of the Greens.
Makeup yes, hairdresser no (officially)
Given that "there are no expenses for hairdressers", von der Leyen explains that make-up services are provided to prepare Commissioners for TV studio interviews, press appearances and video statements. These services “are included in the general framework contract for the management of TV studios at the Commission’s headquarters”.
And here is a first explanation: the contract in question, for 2023, provided for “a dedicated budget of 88 thousand euros for make-up services” to be provided to all 27 members of the College. And it is difficult to think — even if the president assures that there are no expenses for the hairdresser — that the service does not also include some hair touch-ups, perhaps to camouflage the so-called “regrowth” or for a sprinkling of hairspray or brilliantine. In any case, it is a question of approximately 3.250 euros for each Commissioner: a significant amount, however, for the makeup alone.
Photographers, the real expense item
But the real expense is for the Photography. Moreover, photographic coverage of the activities of the members of the College throughout the EU “is essential to inform citizens about the work of the Commission and ensure transparency”, underlines von der Leyen.
Well, in 2023 the Total expenditure for photographers was 1,8 million of euros, “covering hundreds of events in all Member States and outside the EU”. The €1,8 million expenditure “includes salaries and travel expenses”.
However, the president adds, "all photos are provided free of charge to the media."
And here we are at the total: expenditure for the ritual photos + expenditure for make-up = 1 million 888 thousand euros. More or less minus 70 thousand euros for each member of the CommissionBut von der Leyen doesn't say this.
