Controversial Anne Hidalgo Bill Sparks Debate Over Luxury Item Donations: Dior Dresses, Burberry Coat, and Airline Tickets at the Heart of the Matter
Paris, France - The ongoing controversy surrounding Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's expenses has taken a new turn, with the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) investigating her trip to Tahiti in autumn 2023 for "illegal taking of interests" and "misappropriation of public funds."
The investigation comes amidst a wave of criticism from right and far-right politicians who have accused Hidalgo of spending public money without restraint while French citizens are tightening their belts. The controversy also includes accusations of mixing public and private interests.
According to documents published by Mediapart, Hidalgo spent 84,200 euros on representation expenses between 2020 and 2024. Her most expensive trips include New York in 2023 for the climate ambition summit at the UN (9,810 euros), New York in 2022 for an environmental ceremony and to meet the mayor of the city (10,034 euros), Tokyo in 2021 for the Paralympic Games (12,687 euros), and Tahiti in October 2023 (specific expenses not mentioned).
Hidalgo's travel and accommodation expenses between July 2020 and December 2023 amount to 125,000 euros. However, the details about her food and accommodation expenses during her trips, including the Tahiti trip, remain unclear. Guillaume Leroy, a member of the opposition, stated that it is "impossible for us to know if the mayor paid for her return ticket from Tahiti."
The association Transparency Citoyenne, which retrieved travel, catering, and representation expenses of Anne Hidalgo between 2020 and 2024, has also raised questions about the mayor's spending habits. The association, which was financially supported by the far-right businessman Pierre-Édouard Stérin, according to an investigative site, claims to target politicians from all sides.
The Paris mayor's office maintains that Hidalgo attends many official events and receives heads of state and foreign delegations throughout the year. Hidalgo's team has also insisted that she personally covered the cost of her return ticket from Tahiti, but the details about her food and accommodation expenses during her trips remain unclear.
The affair has sparked criticism from various associations and politicians, including accusations of excessive spending and misuse of public funds. The association Transparency Citoyenne won a legal victory on September 16, 2024, regarding the transparency of Paris city hall spending. Searches were conducted at the city hall in March 2024 in relation to the investigation into Hidalgo's trip to Tahiti. The investigation is in its final phase, according to the PNF.
The mayor's office has defended Hidalgo's purchases of clothes, arguing that she needs to represent French culture and haute couture, like the first lady or ministers. Hidalgo has reportedly purchased a Burberry jacket for 1,087 euros in 2020, a Dior blouse for 1,120 euros in 2021, a Burberry coat for 3,067.50 euros in 2023, and two Dior dresses in 2024 for 6,320 euros.
The mayor's office claims to have transmitted all justifications, which Transparency Citoyenne contests. The association maintains that there is a lack of transparency regarding Hidalgo's expenses, particularly her trips and clothing purchases. The controversy continues to unfold, with the PNF's investigation expected to provide more clarity on the matter.
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