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Sarko's $400K Shower Steams French

French president's turn as EU chief cost double the usual amount

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2009 2:58 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The French Senate is perhaps understandably miffed at the outrageous price tag of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 6-month stint as president of the European Union. The half-year job of hosting meetings and events appears to have cost $262 million, which is borne mostly by the host nation, an official tells the BBC. Perhaps the most conspicuous expenditure, the Guardian notes, is $410,000—for a shower that Sarkozy never used.

Sarkozy’s camp claims that the shower figure actually encompasses the renovation of a suite of eight rooms, but they do not dispute other figures. For a summit in Paris , “500 technicians were mobilized every day, including 300 at night,” according to a French Senate report. Some $491,000 was spent on constructing a podium, and $150,000 on a carpet. The rotating presidency usually costs around $100 million.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy.   (AP Photo)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, he of the $400K shower in which French taxpayers are taking a bath.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, he of the $400K shower in which French taxpayers are taking a bath.   (AP Photo/Cedric Joubert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
freethemall
Oct 29, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
I'm truly impressed, alka, with all these statistics you recite. seemingly off the top of your head. Don't misunderstand; I'm on our side.
stuck-in-paris
Oct 29, 2009 6:23 AM CDT
he's not the only one who doesn't use the shower!
alkaseltzersammich
Oct 28, 2009 9:12 AM CDT
Laura Bush's staff: McBride, Anita B. Assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady $168,000.00 Harder, Cherie S. Special asistant to the president for domestic policy and director of project of the first lady $108,000.00 Niemiec, Sally M. Press secretary to the First Lady $90,000.00 Miller, Sonja M. Deputy chief of staff to the first lady $84,700.00 Ballard, Deanna M. Director of scheduling for the First Lady $75,000.00 Underwood, Carrie P. Deputy director of policy and projects for the First Lady $65,000.00 Wallace, Charity N. Director of advance for the First Lady $65,000.00 Marshall, Misty C. Director of correspondence for the first lady $59,700.00 Etter, Marisa L. Deputy director of scheduling for the First Lady $50,000.00 King, Kristin N. Deputy director of advance for the first lady $50,000.00 Lineweaver, Lindsey M. Special assistant and personal aide to the first lady $47,500.00 Rawson, Kimberly D. Executive assistant to the chief of staff to the First Lady $46,200.00 Donoghue , Tarah C. Deputy press secretary to the First Lady $43,000.00 Vogel, Campbell B. Deputy director of correspondence for the First Lady $42,500.00 Block, Jonathan F. Assistant press secretary to the First Lady $39,000.00

 
Iraq • European Union • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • president • budget • summit • shower

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