Merkel's imminent departure vexes German drag scene

The imminent departure of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from the political stage is not just presenting the general public with a sense of loss: Germany's drag scene is about to be bereft of its most iconic subject, reported dpa.

Drag queen Olivia Jones considers the end of Merkel's term in office a great loss for comedians. "I think one thing will remain of Merkel: That she was wonderful to parody. Of course, it is an absolute horror for comedians that Merkel is leaving," the 51-year-old said on Friday evening on the sidelines of the German Comedy Awards in Cologne.

The candidates for chancellor from the election campaign - Olaf Scholz, Armin Laschet and Annalena Baerbock - are more difficult subjects for drag parody, Jones said.

"They are not as good to parody now as our Mutti with that helmet hairdo, her 'rhombus' hand gesture and those drooping corners of her mouth," Jones said. "I will definitely miss that."

Merkel is affectionately known as Mutti - Mummy - in Germany.