Short on the sides and thinning on top, French President Francois Hollande’s hair is kept perfectly groomed at a cost of about 10,000 euros (US$11,097) per month, the Canard Enchaine weekly reported on Wednesday.
The leader’s hair has never been the topic of scrutiny, unlike other high-profile male politicians such as US presidential hopeful Donald Trump or former London mayor Boris Johnson.
However, the publication of the contract of his hairdresser — identified only as Olivier B. — by the investigative newspaper had the French bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president.
“I can understand the questions, I can understand that there are judgements,” said French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, who confirmed the hairdresser’s steep salary of 9,895 euros per month.
“Everyone has their hair done, don’t they?” said Le Foll, his trademark thick gray mane flopping over his forehead.
A lawmaker with the National Front referred to Hollande as “his majesty” on Twitter, while other users superimposed afros, mullets and other hairstyles on pictures of the president, to “help his hairdresser earn his salary.”
The hashtag #Coiffeurgate was trending on Twitter in France.
Some Twitter users also suggested that other balding candidates for the presidency next year — such as Alain Juppe of the opposition Republicans — could save taxpayers money.
An image of Hollande with a beanie photoshopped onto his head was captioned “budget cuts.”
Hollande himself earns an annual wage of 179,000 euros per year, or 14,900 euros per month.
The Canard Enchaine reported that in addition to his salary, the hairdresser was entitled to a “housing allowance” and other “family benefits.”
He has been employed since 2012 and travels with the president on most of his foreign trips.
The hairdresser’s contract states that he must “maintain absolute secrecy about his work and any information he may have gathered both during and after his contract.”
Hollande, who was elected in 2012, has always portrayed himself as “Mr Normal,” in stark contrast to his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, whose flashy lifestyle saw him dubbed “President Bling Bling.”
Critics of his party accuse him of betraying socialist ideals and cosying up to business with a series of economic and labor reforms, despite stating during campaigning that the world of finance was his “enemy.”
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