W. German politicians are household gnomes

Plastic garden gnome figures of Chancellor Helmut Kohl are outselling those of his challenger, Johannes Rau, by 7 to 1 before West Germany's general election, Der Spiegel magazine reports. The Kohl gnome, reclining with a fly-swatter, is the hottest item in a pack of ``Bonn Rascals'' launched by a Hanover firm as a special series for the Jan. 25 election.

The Chancellor's gnome sales follow opinion polls predicting that his Conservative-Liberal alliance will have little trouble in beating Mr. Rau's Social Democratic Party to obtain another four-year term in power.

The Helmut Kohl gnome accounts for 42.1 per cent of total sales, Der Spiegel said.

Only 6 percent of buyers want the dwarf effigy of Johannes Rau.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to W. German politicians are household gnomes
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1987/0108/ofill08a.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us