Overview
- The total was released in mid-February only after two formal inquiries by Green MP Claudia Köhler and a monition, with Landtag president Ilse Aigner’s intervention prompting Staatskanzleichef Florian Herrmann to supply the figure.
- Earlier replies from the State Chancellery cited a cutoff date before the December event, saying invoices were not yet available when first asked.
- The government refused to publish a breakdown or artist payments, arguing that fees are protected business secrets under contract law.
- Köhler criticized the €130,000 outlay as inconsistent with pledged cuts to receptions and publicity and highlighted a €1.242 million shortfall for Bavarian music schools in the 2026 draft budget compared with 2025.
- The Chancellery defended the gala as recognition of volunteer work and Bavarian culture, said savings would be made elsewhere, and indicated the 450-guest event at Munich’s Cuvilliés-Theater—with performers such as Haindling, Claudia Koreck, the Regensburger Domspatzen, and host Florian Silbereisen—will be staged again this year.