Overview
- The state government disclosed nearly €100,000 spent on external photographers from 2020 through the end of September 2025 in a reply to an FDP inquiry.
- Images were produced for online appearances, social-media channels, press materials, and documentation of protocol events such as award ceremonies, state visits, and cabinet photos.
- Annual spending rose from €4,360 in 2020 and €3,574 in 2021 to €19,230 in 2022 and €32,897 in 2023, then fell to €19,926 in 2024, with €18,936 recorded by late September 2025.
- The Staatsministerium attributes the higher outlays to catch-up events after the pandemic and a personnel gap in its online communications unit that led to more external hires.
- FDP lawmaker Friedrich Haag criticized the payments as unnecessary “prestige” costs, as national disclosures showed broader spending on image management, including €172,608 for photographers across federal ministries and separate styling expenses such as €12,501 for the chancellor and €19,265 for the economy minister.