100,000 Euros Quickly for Photos in State Ministry - Baden-Württemberg’s €100,000 photo spending sparks debate over public funds
The Baden-Württemberg State Ministry has spent nearly €100,000 on photographic services between 2020 and September 2025. These images are used for online platforms, social media, press, and informational materials.
In 2020, the ministry spent €4,360 on photography, followed by €3,574 in 2021. However, costs have since risen significantly. In 2022, the ministry spent €19,230.15, and in 2023, this increased to €32,897.11. By the end of September 2025, the ministry had spent €18,936. The ministry attributed this sharp increase to rescheduled events and staffing shortages in the online communication department.
Economic Affairs Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut spent €16,224 by the end of September 2025. A significant portion of the costs covers documentation of events and official occasions. Meanwhile, the Science Ministry under Petra Olschowski spent the least, totaling €1,017.
The ministry's photography expenditure has been a topic of discussion. FDP politician Friedrich Haag criticized the spending, urging the minister-president to scrutinize how taxpayer money is spent. Despite the criticism, the ministry continues to use photographic services for various purposes.
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