EU Commission spent about 32 million on communication, photos and makeup in 2023

Brussels – The European Commission and the members of its college, in 2023 alone, spent about 32 million euros in communication campaigns, photo shoots, and makeup. Here is the breakdown of the use of funds available to the members of the community executive for carrying out their duties — in all photogenic glory and beauty. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen broke down spending in response to a unique question filed by Green MEP Daniel Freund.

Here, then, is the list of expenditures. In 2023, von der Leyen explains, the Commission had an annual budget of 30 million euros to fund EU-wide communication campaigns. “Advertising is essential to inform citizens about the work of the Commission and ensure transparency,” claims and explains the chairwoman of the EU executive, who reminds everyone of political costs. Communication and information campaigns, she insists, are “one of the many activities included in this budget allocation.”

 Photographic coverage of the activities of College members across the EU “is also essential to inform citizens about the work of the Commission and ensure transparency,” continues von der Leyen, who nevertheless is keen to point out and remind how then “all photos are provided to the media free of charge” on the Commission Audiovisual Portal for journalistic or educational purposes. In 2023, the total expenditure on photographers was 1.8 million euros, “covering hundreds of events in all member states and outside the EU.” The €1.8 million expenditure “includes salaries and travel expenses.” 

As for looking good, “there is no expenditure for hairdressers,” von der Leyen added. Makeup services are provided to prepare commissioners for TV studio interviews, press room appearances, and video statements. “Such services are included in the overall framework service contract to run the television studios at the Commission headquarters,” and the contract in question for 2023 provided for “a dedicated budget of 88 thousand euros for makeup services” to be provided to all 27 members of the college. So there you have it, a total of about 32 million euros for communication, photos, and makeup for 2023 alone.