Investigative newspaper Le Canard Enchaine’s report shocked many on the streets of Paris.
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“Everyone gets haircuts”, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said.
People are reacting with shock, anger and humor since a government spokesperson confirmed the existence of an official presidential hairdresser who makes 9,895 euros ($10,994) per month and travels everywhere with Hollande.
Paris: French President Francois Hollande congratulated Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May on her appointment Wednesday and urged her to quickly begin talks on the country’s divorce from the European Union, the Elysee Palace said. “Everyone has their hair done, don’t they?” That’s roughly five times the salary of a typical French hairdresser.
The stylist was identified only as Olivier B., although a book that appeared in April, L’Elysee Off, listed the stylist Olivier Benhamou.
The scandal has “the French public bristling over such extravagant spending by a Socialist president”, as AFP reported. His approval ratings have been consistently low, he has failed on his promise to significantly lower unemployment, among other things.
Hollande was mercilessly mocked on social media, with many questioning why someone with so little hair would need a hairdresser, or suggesting only bad politicians run in the next general election in 2017.
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In honor of New Zealand’s and Australia’s participation in the First World War as part of the British Commonwealth, Hollande invited an 86-strong contingent of New Zealand troops and 140 Australian soldiers to join Thursday’s parade. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, famously received a $200 haircut from Beverly Hills stylist Christophe on Air Force One while the plane was idling on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport in 1993. “The Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin spent tens of thousands of dollars on hair and makeup in the homestretch of her 2008 campaign”.
