German spoof tops charts

The song features an impersonation of Schroeder

A song that lampoons German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has shot to the top of the German pop charts.

The song, called Tax Song (Der Steuersong), reached number one a week after it was released. It sold more than 350,000 copies.

Created by comedian Elmar Brandt, the lyrics ridicule the chancellor for jettisoning campaign vows just weeks after winning re-election.

"Promises that were made yesterday can be broken today," Brandt sings, in a voice that mimics Schroeder's.

Gerhard Shroeder

"I'll raise your taxes, I'll empty your pockets, every one of you nerds stashes some cash away, but I'll find it no matter where it is."

A video to accompany the hit features a Spitting Image-style puppet of Schroeder smoking a cigar and laughing.

The chancellor has refused to comment on the song, which is set to the tune of international hit The Ketchup Song.

When asked, he said: "I don't have any plans to make any comment on that", but added he would "prefer it if political debates could be conducted in a more factual manner than is currently the case".

The tune can currently be heard countless times a day on radio stations throughout Germany.

Lied

It has knocked rock singer Herbert Groenemeyer off the number one spot.

One paper, Bild am Sonntag, devoted a full page to letters from readers, focusing on the song.

"The truth hurts," wrote Theo Mueller, from Weinstadt.

"Never has a German chancellor lied so boldly to the nation as Schroeder did," wrote Friedrich Klages, of Negenborn.

Schroeder's government of Social Democrats and Greens has slumped dramatically in voter surveys since the 22 September polls.

It has fallen 10 points behind the opposition in what pollsters call the steepest drop in support for a government since World War II.