A number of European media have accused the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, of spending heavily on trips abroad.
Yes, French newspaper Le Monde He expressed Michel’s passion for flying private jets, including short trips that also impact the environment in terms of carbon emissions.
The publication writes that in Brussels, Charles Michel’s love of travel was spoken in the town, and diplomats and officials in European institutions were annoyed by such expensive travel. The Le Monde investigation also revealed that Michel’s travel expenses were skyrocketing.
According to this PolicyThe 2024 budget of the President of the European Council, which is in the approval process, will be 2.6 million Euros, an increase of 27.5% compared to the 2023 budget. The publication notes that the increase in spending was mainly due to Michel’s “heavy international activity”, according to a March 1 document from the Council’s General Secretariat.
In turn, the Belgian TV channel RTBF reported that Michel could compete with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in international activities.