That's Obamy!
Jamie Lyons News of the World - 03 January 2010
EUROPE'S new president is to cost taxpayers almost £300 million - and amazingly he will be paid MORE than U.S. chief Barack Obama.
Total cost for Herman Van Rompuy and all his hangers-on will be a massive £22.5 million, leaked documents show.
But the EU is spending another £252 million building a new palace.
Van Rompuy, who started work on Friday, will earn £273,814 a year - the U.S. president gets £250,000.
The Belgian became Europe's new figurehead after beating front-runner Tony Blair in November.
The cost of his salary, travel and entitlements will be £1.3 million.
But that is just the tip of the iceberg, leaked European Council papers show. Costs include £2.1 million for security, £2.3 million for equipment, £6.2 million for summits and £5.2 million for 22 staff.There will be a £4.5 million reserve fund and £252 million to convert the Brussels palace.
Stephen Booth of campaign group Open Europe said: "It's outrageous."
© News of the World