The first months of the new Germany government´s have revealed a waste of public money that has outraged taxpayers. According to official figures, members of the coalition government have spent more than 250,000 euros on makeup, hairdressing, and photographers since taking office last May.
The Minister of Economy, Katherina Reiche (CDU), tops the list with expenses amounting to 19,264.76 euros between May 6 and August 4. Of that amount, more than 8,000 euros were solely for the travel costs of her personal makeup artist, who accompanied her on official trips such as her several-day visit to Washington.
The chancellor himself, Friedrich Merz (CDU), charged taxpayers 12,501.30 euros for makeup artists, cosmetologists, and hairdressers. During his recent meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump even joked about his appearance and his “tan.”
The figures came to light following a parliamentary inquiry by the AfD, which requested information on expenses for “photographers, makeup artists, hairdressers, and other personal services” across all ministries. The result: 172,608.83 euros on photographers and 58,738.41 euros on styling between May and August alone.
This is not the first time German politicians have been called out for such excesses. In 2022, then-Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) faced heavy criticism when it was revealed she had spent 136,552.50 euros on styling, with a monthly fee of nearly 9,000 euros for her makeup artist.
The record for photography expenses is now held by the Finance Ministry, led by Lars Klingbeil (SPD), with 33,721.80 euros billed. The same makeup artist who works with Reiche has also been hired by Baerbock, Robert Habeck (Greens), Nicola Beer (FDP), and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU).
