Manfred Weber, whose chances to become the next European Commission President seem to be dwindling away, spoke about his programme and the importance of fighting corruption in Athens. However, by exploiting loopholes and using tricky and cunning means, he has managed to amass at least 400,000 euros in recent years.

The amount is approx. 4,332 euros per month. MEPs receive this general reimbursement each month primarily for running a formal office, as set out in the guidelines. They are not accountable for the expenditures, no bills have to be presented, and Weber saw a great opportunity in this loophole. The jockeying EPP politician declared his own family house as the party s office to keep hold of this amount.

His house is located in a small Lower Bavarian village, Wildenberg, at the back of beyond, where he is a habitual resident. He designated the ground floor of the building to be his office, in an obvious effort to retain the money he should be spending on renting an office. The fact that his village is so far away from large cities that voters cannot easily visit their beloved representative, did not matter.

In Wildenberg, V4NA’s journalists saw with their own eyes that Weber did not even bother to put up a sign, stating that the house is his representative office.

Let us do the math! In the 15 years since 2004 – which is 180 months – if we only registered half of the 4,332 euros as unspent rental cost, we would get 180 x 2,150 euros, which is nearly 400,000 euros. Moreover, Weber could easily use this amount to cover his house s entire utilities expenses, as Brussels has never required any bills.

EU’s bureaucrats do not make a fuss about this. They know best how the money of European taxpayers should be spent.

Arriving at the “office” rented from himself on 30 April 2019, 10:30 pm

Images: Weber’s house used as office (Holunderweg 9a, 93359 Wildenberg)