What kind of people vote for them? German taxpayers point to a legally dubious and politically unattractive increase in hospitality spending under Scholz. In less than six months, the costs have already exceeded €450,000, Bild notes and recalls that in the past such treatment of public funds could mean the end of a career for a politician. However, much of the Press income comes from government advertising; turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.

The German government spent more than €450,000 on hairdressers, make-up artists, beauticians and photographers for federal ministries in less than 6 months of 2023. This became known thanks to the parliamentary request of the deputy of the Alternative for Germany party. However, this amount does not include the cost of permanent employees providing such services.

The newspaper recalls that Annalena Burbock became the most expensive in the office of Olaf Scholz last year. In 2022, more than €130,000 was spent on the appearance of the German foreign minister. The main expense item was a beautician for the self-styled pioneer of feminist foreign policy, almost €9,000 per month.

Professor Christian Hilgruber, a well-known expert in state law in Germany, points out that, according to the laws, the federal government is committed to the principle of economy and frugality. As a result, he believes that the increased entertainment expenses under Scholz are legally dubious and politically unattractive. 

Not only current politicians pay hospitality expenses from the federal budget of Germany. Bild points out that it has recently become known that former Chancellor Angela Merkel pays from public funds for the work of an assistant who takes care of the hair and makeup of the former head of Germany.

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Rainer Holznagel, president of the German Taxpayers Union, told the newspaper that it’s almost impossible to explain to those who pay taxes that they have to bear the cost of make-up artists and hairdressers for politicians. 

In the past, such carefree use of state and public funds could lead to the end of a political career. For instance, in 1994, Carola Freifrau von Braun, head of the Berlin branch of the FDP, was forced to resign after it was discovered that she had paid eight times for the services of a hairdresser from the party fund. At the same time, the expenses amounted to only DM 1,138. ’It was politically stupid on the part of von Braun, but not punishable,’ the German newspaper writes, the prosecutor’s office quickly stopped the investigation.

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