A fictional candidate "campaigning" for Germany's parliamentary elections next month would win 18% of the votes if he stood, an opinion poll suggests.
Horst Schlaemmer is not even a real person, let alone a real candidate. Played by German comedian Hape Kerkeling, the spoof would-be chancellor has spiced up a campaign criticised as dreary.
His campaign slogan "Yes weekend" is inspired by Barack Obama, and he has pledged to replace Germany's national emblem - the eagle - with a bunny.
Horst Schlaemmer has become so popular that his spoof "campaign launch" was broadcast live on two TV networks and reportedly attracted more than 100 journalists.
In real life, Hape Kerkeling is a German comedian and TV presenter who has been one of the country's most popular impersonators for many years. The 44-year-old once arrived at a German presidential reception dressed up as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. He is often compared to British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who has gained worldwide fame through his characters Ali G, Borat and Bruno.
Ahead of his new film, he further blurred the lines between fact and fiction by launching the Horst Schlaemmer Party. With his old-fashioned glasses, ratty moustache, grey wig and funny accent, the spoof candidate cuts a distinctive figure ahead of Germany's legislative elections on 27 September.
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