French President Emmanuel Macron likes to impress his guests with lavish parties. But that comes at a price. The French Court of Auditors criticizes the president. But also praises his austerity efforts.
Emmanuel Macron received King Charles in Versailles in September last year, a reception that cost almost half a million. (Photo: Pete Richman / CC BY-SA 2.0)The Élysée Palace ended last year with expenses of 125 million euros – 8.3 million euros more than budgeted, as Politico reported.
The figures confirm that the extravagant dinner for King Charles III was one of the main reasons for the budget overrun.
Lobster was on the menu when Macron invited the king and at least 160 other people to Versailles in September last year.
The hospitality bill came to 475,000 euros. The catering cost 165,000 euros and the fine people drank wine worth 40,000 euros.
The guests, who included celebrities such as Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and British actor Hugh Grant, were served blue lobster and pink macaroons.
French Court of Auditors criticizes
The French Court of Auditors (Court of Audit) criticized the expenses for the extravagant receptions. He also criticized the poor travel planning of the French President and pointed to a loss of over 830,000 euros caused by the cancellation of 12 obviously non-refundable trips.
A planned but then cancelled trip to Germany in July 2023 alone resulted in a loss of almost 500,000 euros, mainly due to transport and accommodation costs.
The statement from the President’s office laconic
In response to the figures published on Monday, the Élysée Palace stated:
“France maintains close diplomatic relations with a large number of countries that organize similar events when they receive the Head of State.”
Praise for trying to save
The French Court of Auditors also acknowledged some cost-cutting efforts, highlighting the Élysée Palace’s economy in hosting “cocktails for fewer than 100 people,” which usually favor the palace’s in-house kitchen staff over external contractors. – To that, a toast!
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