Members of Germany’s new coalition government have spent more than €250,000 on makeup, hair styling, and photographers since taking office, official figures show.
Economic Affairs Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) tops the list, billing taxpayers €19,264.76 between May 6 and August 4. More than €8,000 of that sum covered travel costs for her makeup artist, who joined her on trips including a multi-day visit to Washington.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) also reported €12,501.30 in expenses for makeup artists, cosmeticians, and hairdressers. During a White House meeting last week, U.S. President Donald Trump even praised Merz’s appearance, joking about his tan.
The government disclosure came in response to a parliamentary question from the AfD, which asked about spending on “photographers, makeup artists, hairdressers, and other personal services” across federal ministries. In total, €172,608.83 has been spent on photographers and €58,738.41 on styling since May.
Former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) faced similar controversy in 2022, when her styling costs reached €136,552.50, including a monthly flat fee of €8,925 for her makeup artist.
The highest photography bill so far has come from the Finance Ministry under Lars Klingbeil (SPD), which reported €33,721.80 in expenses. Reiche’s makeup artist, who markets herself as a “makeup and hair artist,” has also worked for Baerbock, Robert Habeck (Greens), Nicola Beer (FDP), and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU).
