Overview

• The Bavarian State Chancellery disclosed the figure in a written response to SPD lawmaker Florian von Brunn’s Landtag inquiry.
• Officials said the Helgoland mayor issued a written invitation and the municipality handled the program and press arrangements.
• The government called the trip professionally and politically meaningful, citing exchanges on energy policy, housing, nature protection and sustainable tourism.
• Von Brunn condemned the visit as PR and self-staging and dismissed the State Chancellery’s justification as laughable.
• Söder traveled with Chancellery staff, security and representatives of Bavarian cultural associations, while no journalists or make-up staff were part of the delegation and no media costs were incurred; Schleswig-Holstein premier Daniel Günther was reportedly not involved in the plans.