Angela Merkel Lingerie Ad Shocks Germany

The AFP reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel appears in a lingerie ad wearing nothing more than a purple matching bra and panties set.

AFP reports that the ad is for an underwear company that is offering a $7 discount on new undies to anyone who trades in an old pair. The slogan of the campaign is, "The country needs new undies."

The electronic advert on a busy road junction in the heart of former West Berlin was certainly causing a stir on the streets, with scores of people taking snapshots of the billboard with cameras or mobile phones. 'I think it's great. Brilliant. It's a positive signal for the economic situation in Germany," said a 54-year-old.

The Digital Journal reports that Merkel, whose image was apparently photo-shopped for the ad, is not exactly known as a fashion icon in Germany.

Since becoming a well-known political figure Angela Merkel has been regularly criticised and made fun of for her outdated clothes and hairstyle. She says herself that she is not particularly interested in fashion and that she has only recently discovered the joys of make-up or dressing for special occasions.

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Comments

[madashellvoter]

02:11 PM on 05/04/2009

THIS IS CRAP!!
Angela Merkel appears in a lingerie ad wouldn't shock Germany, but it would shock the Puritan USA! I would know, I lived there.

[Nancy VanTwistern]

07:50 PM on 05/04/2009

I would bet that Angela Merkel has a great sense of humor........and laughs about this ad...but...I do wonder if she 'gave her approval"???

[ZKMC]

10:40 AM on 05/04/2009

German's are cool.

[Bitsko]

02:48 PM on 05/03/2009

A likeness of German Chancellor Angela Merkel appears in the ad. Whoever write this needs to go back to school.

[rasputin999]

11:23 AM on 05/04/2009

I expect Sarah Palin to jump on this underwear bandwagon any day now!

[netzwerg]

12:55 PM on 05/03/2009

Im German and live in Berlin. The poster does not draw much attention here, its not even in the news. Its pretty funny how americans feel offended in some way by things like that although the US got the biggest porn industry and porn consumers worldwide (nothing bad with porns, I dont want to offend anyone..;)).

[antaeus]

03:17 PM on 05/03/2009

If our new president were put in a Calvin Klein underwear ad, then many Americans would see that as disrespect to the office of the president (even though some of us would enjoy seeing President Obama in nothing but CK low-rise briefs . . . )

[mollybeejay]

10:34 AM on 05/04/2009

Check out the new Washingtonion Mag. The prez is bare chested on the cover. I don't see that as disrespectful since he did not pose for the picture and it was taken while he was on vacation during the election season. I agree with the German fellow. Americans are way too prudish about our bodies and about nudity. This is a leftover form your Puritan ancestors.

[kmsoftly]

11:33 AM on 05/03/2009

1) The pictures are not photoshoped but painted
2) It's not just Chancellor Merkel, but leaders of Germany's political Partys and members of the cabinet
from left to right:
- Walter Steinmeier , Vice Chancellor, Secretary of State (Social Democratic Party)
- Guido Westerwelle, (openly gay Leader of the Free Democratic Party, also called "The Liberals" but significally differnt than liberals in the US, more like Libertarians)
- Horst Seehofer, Gouvernor of Bavaria (Chairman Christian Social Union)
- Gregor Gisy (Chairman Left Party)
- Ursula von der Leyen, Secretary for Family, Senior People, Women and Youth (Christian Democratic Union)
- Cem Özdemir, (Chairman Green Party)
3) Bruno Banani is a well known underwear label in Germany
4) Almost nobody is outraged about the ad, except maybe the ones depicted
5) Although Angie is not the most attractiv women, she has lots of brain (PhD in Physics) and some other qualitys as you can see here http://www.tz-online.de/bilder/2008/12/18/25907/742067965-3_merkel_475px.9.jpg"
6) It would be much more outrage here in Germany if we had guys on the radio like Savage or Limbaugh who hide behind their First Amendmend rights to spill their hatred.
BTW: Our Conservatives are very moderate compared to most GOP politicians and some of our Liberals would be considered as die hard Communists in the US.

[netzwerg]

01:03 PM on 05/03/2009

Im German and I approve this. ;)

[Khirad]

10:22 AM on 05/03/2009

If anything the undies should have been her trademark orange.

[CologneCitizen]

02:17 AM on 05/03/2009

In the sixties and seventies we got rid in Germany of many repressive attitudes regarding sex. It was a slow but natural liberation. Nowadays nobody would give a hoot about this kind of ad. It may be tasteless and disrespectful, yes, but so what ?

In the USA a naked tit at the superbowl sparks nationwide interest and discussion, words are banned from books to "protect" children. Restaurants like Hooters are successful, bars with table dancing attract customers. We honestly find this "look, but please don't touch attitude" very funny. America is a prick teasing country, controlled by false moral values, brought upon the people by double moral standards christians and conservatives. As long as the devil plays a vital part in your reality, you have a long way to go to freedom and liberty.

[Mystic01]

10:34 AM on 05/04/2009

Quite correct. I wish we Americans were more like Europeans, in this and in many other ways.

[TXFF5000]

08:40 PM on 05/02/2009

For any female leader of a country to be shown in underwear publicly is classless. I thought Chancellor Merkel had more class then that.

This is just German foolishness.

[Marina56]

12:16 AM on 05/03/2009

You might want to, well, actually READ the article before posting a criticism. Then you would know that Merkel had nothing to do with it - her face was photo-shopped onto the ad.

[DC]

06:22 PM on 05/02/2009

I do not think this shocks Germans. I think they might find it tasteless to illustrate a respected Chancellor in underwear to sell underwear.

It is a poor campaign. One does not even know the brand.

[DrFitz]

08:07 PM on 05/02/2009

Ya think?? I can't imagine this gaining any female customers. It certainly would've royally pissed off all of Hillary's voters had a company pulled the same thing with her image.

[moionfire]

06:16 PM on 05/02/2009

I am not quite sure why every other post is jumping in and talking about prudishness, especially since the issue isn't nudity (since she isn't naked), but taking a chancellor's image to sell underwear...

That said, I doubt the ad shocks Germany...

[beaupritchard]

03:47 PM on 05/02/2009

Baby's got what ... http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1r7qc_sir-mix-a-lotbaby-got-back_music

[forpeace]

02:57 PM on 05/02/2009

This happened after Bush rubbed her back and shoulder ........ Bush has magic touch!!

Anything he touches turns into fire!!!!!

[Tmasthenes]

02:49 PM on 05/02/2009

The Albany Kid wrote:
I hear ya! Personally, wouldn't mind seeing Kathleen Sebelius in a similar ad!
-------------
Oh, God, yes! Kathleen Sebelius! Be still my heart! Thumpa-thumpa-thumpa!!! Look, I’m 60 years old and thought I was well beyond the adolescent phase of worshiping women and the ground they walk on, but then Kathleen came on the scene, and I’m a teenaged boy again! The words that come to mind to try and describe her: elegant . . . regal . . . royal . . . yes, royal! Forget about the Department of Health and Human Services. Is there any way that we could amend the Constitution to make Kathleen Sebelius the Queen of America? I would be her faithful and loyal servant, and vote whatever way she said.

Queen Kathleen! It even rhymes. And saying those words puts a chill up my leg with more neural voltage than Chris Matthews had from Obama. And also what a political advantage for Obama. Because deep down in the dark depths of “Viagra Country,” there are just as many Republican as Democratic men (and even a few women! Hi, Rachel!) who are just as ga-ga as I am over Queen Kathleen. Just imagine if Obama sent her out, dressed in her royal robes and crown, for a State of the Union address,

Queen Kathleen! I love you! Even without a Merkel type ad! You make me healthy and, as a human, I want to serve you!

[BassguyGG]

10:06 AM on 05/04/2009

Oh dear, and after seeing "You're Welcome America, a Final Evening with George W. Bush," how could I forget fabulous Condi, who shopped for shoes while New Orleans drowned!

[ommyth]

02:30 PM on 05/02/2009

I live in Germany - the cumulative "reaction" here has been nil. People here have been more consumed with cookout plans (for the May 1 holiday weekend) than umbrage over an absurd ad.

[JLRoberson]

02:21 PM on 05/02/2009

"Trades in?"

Okay, it's official. I do not understand Germans.

[TrekBear]

07:14 PM on 05/02/2009

Even in English, that phrase is correct. English grammar, which derived in large part from old Germanic languages, requires the noun (trade) , not the preposition (in), to be pluralized.