Charles Michel is going through a hell of a media storm. Since spending on his travels as president of the European Council came under scrutiny, the former Belgian prime minister has come under heavy criticism in the European bubble. His cabinet has gone into defensive mode, recalling that all his missions and the expenses related to them are “governed by clear and transparent rules”.
For Charles Michel, his expenses are nothing “lavish” since they are part of its obligations. The president must carry the word of the European Union abroad and that means traveling often. “Because of the crises facing the Union – in particular the war of aggression against Ukraine and its many consequences – and the need for the European Union to respond to them effectively and in a united manner, the number of President’s missions abroad has increased since the end of the pandemic”justifies its press service.
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In fact, the movements of the liberal are not reprehensible on the legal level. It is more on the ethical level that his air travel raises questions. “Morality within the European institutions is something very important”, reminds us of a connoisseur of this level of power. “The European Council represents member countries that have already made representatives resign for much less than that.”
According to people who have been around the Jodoignois for a long time, his mistake was to have chosen “the comfort of private jets” in a very demanding European context. “He has a behavior that is not necessarily appropriate compared to the habits of the European Union”, explains a person who has worked with him for a long time. “He is someone who appreciates the luxurious advantages and certain facilities that can be linked to his position.”
Among the facilities relating to his positions of high responsibility, we note the possibility of having a driver, of benefiting from close protection, of having staff to manage various daily tasks or of being served by his personal cook.
”Charles Michel has always had very high standards of living”, notes a former member of the Swedish. “We recall that he was a minister at the age of 24. It is the beautiful Walloon Brabant. He comes from a higher socio-economic class. As part of his function, he will ensure that his standards of living are met.”
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This taste for luxury is perceived by former work colleagues as a means of establishing one’s function. At such a level of power, pageantry is in order. “When Michel became Prime Minister, the use of close protection was justified by the numerous death threats that had been made against him”. A revolver bullet had notably been sent to him by post. For OCAM, this was a more than valid reason to demand protection. “After this episode, Charles Michel had to be able to continue to benefit from this close protection because it established the idea that he was the head of government.
At European level, this spirit has been maintained. “Charles Michel wishes to give himself a stature that none of his predecessors gave to this post. You can see it in his taste for travel.”
An analysis that the president’s press service does not do. “The direct involvement of the European Council in international affairs has increased considerably [depuis sa prise de fonction]. Most of the missions were the subject of prior preparation with the Member States and a report to the same.” And to specify that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, took air taxis for 55% of her missions while the President took them for 64% of his destinations.
Within the MR, difficult to find someone who dares to speak ill of Charles Michel. The Liberal still pulls the strings of the Golden Fleece and many people owe their careers to him, we hear. Nevertheless, some relativize. “Most politics are like that. You quickly get used to having a driver and a cook.”