German minister accused of Afghan publicity stunt
A morale boosting visit to troops by a German defence minister has ended up stoking discontent after critics in the Green Party labelled the trip “crude self promotion.”
Discontent stems from Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg’s decision to bring along his wife and a leading German talkshow host for the ride.
Rival politicians were quick to pounce on the perceived error of judgement with the shadow defence spokesperson Rainer Arnold saying: “He is too focussed on his media image.”
The left wing pacifist party, Die Linke, were even more vociferous, saying Guttenberg should have brought: “orders to come home, not his PR retinue.”
Guttenberg’s wife has become a celebrity lately after winning £425k in the German edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? A feat she celebrated by downing half a litre of beer.
Mrs Guttenberg stated that she went on the overseas foray as a “wife, mother and citizen.”