Söder on Helgoland: 16,000 euros for a PR trip to the North Sea!

Söder on Helgoland: 16,000 euros for a PR trip to the North Sea!

Markus Söder, the Prime Minister of Bavaria (CSU), visited the North Sea island of Heligoland at the end of August 2025. According to the State Chancellery, this business trip cost the Free State of Bavaria almost 16,000 euros. This information is the result of a request from MPs from the SPD and the Greens, who point out the high costs for taxpayers.

Söder was accompanied on Heligoland by a team of State Chancellery employees and security officers. There were also members of the traditional costume club “D’Schloßbergler Hopferau e. V.” and the board of the Bavarian Traditional Costume Association are part of the travel group. The invitation to this visit was given by the mayor of Heligoland, Jörg Singer, which classifies the trip as an official affair.

Political discussions and program organization

The State Chancellery stated that the municipality organized all program items as well as the press invitation and support. The topics of the exchange included key aspects such as energy policy, housing shortages, the protection of sensitive natural areas and the sustainable development of tourism on the island. A future return visit by the Helgoland municipal council to Bavaria is also already planned.

Head of the State Chancellery Florian Herrmann (CSU) described the visit as “technically and politically sensible”. Nevertheless, the trip was met with critical voices, particularly from SPD MP Florian von Brunn, who viewed it as a PR measure and self-promotion. He criticized that such a trip at taxpayers' expense of 16,000 euros was not justified. Von Brunn noted that it is unusual for a prime minister to travel to another state to discuss local issues with a mayor.

Criticism and media presence

Criticism of Söder's trip was also voiced by Green MP Claudia Köhler, who also pointed out that the costs will ultimately be borne by taxpayers. In addition, there were discussions about the media presence during the visit: no journalist or photographer was sent to Heligoland by the State Chancellery at state expense. Instead, the Prime Minister was greeted with a huge reception and excessive media attention, even though journalists were not involved.

Herrmann rejected von Brunn's allegations, claiming that he was promoting populist sentiment. What was particularly explosive was the fact that Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) was not included in the travel plans, which raised further questions about the necessity and usefulness of the visit.

In summary, it can be said that Söder's visit to Helgoland is the subject of political discussion and there are different opinions about the appropriateness of such business trips.

For more information read the reports sueddeutsche.de and t-online.de.