A number of European media outlets have questioned the European Council president Charles Michel over claims of high travel expenditure abroad. Le Monde, a prominent French newspaper, highlights Michel’s reputed fondness for flying on private jets, noting that even short trips contribute to environmental impacts through increased carbon emissions. The report suggests that in Brussels the topic of Michel’s travel habits has circulated among diplomats and European institutional officials, who are said to be frustrated by what is described as expensive travel during his tenure. The investigation also points to rising travel costs, portraying a trend of rapid increases in Michel’s international travel activity.
According to policy documents from the Council’s General Secretariat, the 2024 budget for the President of the European Council stands at 2.6 million euros, representing an uptick of 27.5 percent from the 2023 budget. Critics cited in the publication argue that the larger allocation primarily reflects Michel’s heavy international activity, a factor highlighted in a March 1 briefing note. The emphasis appears to be on the scope of overseas engagements and the corresponding logistical costs associated with official visits, summoning broader debates about transparency and accountability in the upper echelons of European leadership.
Additionally, Belgian broadcaster RTBF reported that Michel’s international workload could be on par with that of Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, in terms of global travel and diplomatic presence. The coverage underscores the competitive stance in multi-country engagements among senior European leaders and raises questions about the consistency of travel policies across European institutions. Attribution for these claims points to Le Monde and RTBF’s reporting, which reference internal budget documents and statements from European officials. These sources indicate a public interest in how travel budgets are determined, justified, and scrutinized by member states and EU observers alike.
In this climate, observers stress the importance of balancing ceremonial duties, diplomatic outreach, and environmental considerations. They argue that while international engagement can strengthen EU representation on the world stage, there remains a need for rigorous oversight of travel expenses, clearer disclosure practices, and a more transparent justification of the costs involved. The discussion reflects a broader conversation about fiscal prudence, the environmental footprint of official travel, and how European Union leaders manage the complexity of operating across multiple continents while maintaining trust and legitimacy at home and abroad.