Huge satirical models of Trump, Putin and Zelensky at German carnival parades

12 February 2024, 14:34

Germany Carnival
Germany Carnival. Picture: PA

Shrove Monday parades are a traditional high point of the celebrations, with big displays in Cologne, Dusseldorf and Mainz.

Throngs of revellers took to the streets of Germany’s carnival strongholds on Monday, accompanied by floats that satirised the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, German politicians, former US President Donald Trump and many others.

Shrove Monday parades are a traditional high point of carnival celebrations in Cologne, Duesseldorf, Mainz and other places in western Germany, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors.

Germany Carnival Parade
Carnival floats address current political issues both in Germany and abroad, with Donald Trump a particular focus (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Every year, floats address current national and global political issues with biting sarcasm.

This year, a larger-than-life Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky progressed through the streets of Cologne with a sign reading “To be or NATO be”.

Mr Zelensky wants Ukraine to be able to join the Western military alliance.

Germany Carnival
A float depicting Barbies and Ken, with the characters of Russian President Vladimir Putin Alice Weidel of AfD and Sahra Wagenknecht of BSW (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

In Duesseldorf, a float depicted Mr Trump stabbing a Ukrainian soldier in the back — a reference to opposition among Republicans to aid for Ukraine.

Another had the former president and 2024 presidential candidate carrying scissors and a US flag cut into the shape of a swastika.

Germany Carnival Parade
A carnival float depicts a reveller unmasking Adolf Hitler as AfD (Alternative for Germany) politician during the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

In Mainz, a Barbies and Ken pink car float featured Russian President Vladimir Putin behind Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht, the co-leaders of German political parties the far-right Alternative for Germany and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, that criticise sanctions against Russia and oppose weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

The war between Israel and Hamas was also a theme.

Germany Carnival Parade
A float depicting an Israel tank, Palestinians and a Hamas militant joined the parade in Duesseldorf (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

A float in Duesseldorf depicted a figure in military garb labelled “Hamas” pushing what appeared to be a family toward an Israeli tank.

Germany’s unpopular government came in for lampooning, with chancellor Olaf Scholz portrayed as a sloth and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock as an elephant in a porcelain shop, the German equivalent of a bull in a china shop.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road at the rally.

Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star breaks silence over death of mum found dead in French villa with her husband

The Government has ordered Apple to allow it to access encrypted files uploaded to the cloud by any Apple user worldwide, it has been reported.

UK Government orders Apple to give it access to users’ encrypted data in 'unprecedented attack on privacy'

The wreckage of the small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska has been found

Missing Alaska Bering Air plane found with all 10 people on board confirmed dead

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Hollyoaks star and country singer thought to be son of British couple shot dead in French villa ‘by UK gangsters’

Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami have been released

'We won't gloss over the shocking scenes', warns Netanyahu as three freed by Hamas paraded on stage

Harry and Meghan at the 2023 Invictus Games

Meghan to join Prince Harry at Invictus Games in Canada

President Trump Hosts Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba At The White House

Donald Trump slams brakes on some China tariffs in third trade war U-turn

A British man found dead with his wife inside their isolated French villa

British couple found dead in French villa named as fears former organised crime financial investigator was 'murdered'

At least two dead after the plane crashed in Sao Paulo

Plane crash claims at least two lives as light aircraft smashes into a bus in Sao Paulo

The Bering Air Caravan was heading from Unalakleet to Nome

Search under way as Bering Air plane carrying 10 people disappears while flying over Alaska

A British couple was reportedly found dead by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

British couple found dead inside 'isolated' French villa in 'feared burglary gone wrong'

Inga Gehricke, five, went missing following a family barbecue in Germany back in 2015.

Police launch fresh search efforts for missing girl linked to prime Madeleine McCann suspect