23 December 2008 - 16H42
- Angela Merkel - Barack Obama - Hugo Chavez - Nicolas Sarkozy - Ségolène Royal - Silvio Berlusconi - Vladimir Putin

World leaders gather under the Christmas tree
The most powerful people on the planet are an inspiration for Santa this year. From kitsch to witch, check out the political byproducts making their Christmas debut under the tree.
By Nicolas DE SCITIVAUX (text)

The arty gift

The election of Barack Obama as US president triggered a web merchandising storm this year. Choosing from the T-shirts, badges, pins and even dog scarves may prove difficult. You can even find little Obama heads decked out in Santa hats to adorn the tree.

The Xmas ornament, Obama style

 

The practical gift

Preparing dinner on Christmas Eve can quickly turn into a headache. You may get a hand from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but don’t let her sour look spoil the feast.

 

The Merkel lemon juicer

 

 

 

The romantic gift

There’s an Italian alternative to Christmas carols: Silvio Berlusconi’s fourth album. The former crooner and cruise host himself wrote the words of the love song CD which are sung here by a friend of "Il Cavaliere", Mariano Apicella.

The fun gift

Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, is the pick for kids. To fight the bad guys, nothing beats a Chavez action figure. There are two models, one in green fatigues and one with the president’s famous red shirt. Press the button to hear a patriotic song.

 

The Chavez action figure

 

 

The educational gift

In a more muscled style, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has a judo DVD out. Putin demonstrates the moves himself, showing off his fighting spirit.


 

The shamanic gift

Last but not least, a great and much derided French classic: the Nicolas Sarkozy voodoo doll, sold with its own handbook. And for leftist sympathizers, Santa also carries a version of the former presidential Socialist candidate, Ségolène Royal.

On the left, the Sarkozy voodoo doll. On the right, his Royal counterpart

 

All items can be purchased on e-auction sites such as eBay

 

(Translated by Marie Valla)

 

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