German Carnival: Politically explosive parade floats
German Carnival has a reputation for satirically themed floats in the Rose Monday parades. Float builders in Dusseldorf and Cologne rarely shy away from politically explosive themes.
Merkel swept away
A float with a 'refugee wave' sweeping away Merkel was among the floats showcased near the Dusseldorf town hall. The Dusseldorf parade was cancelled due to windy weather, so some floats were positioned outside the town hall.
Governmental changes in Poland
This float deals with the change of government in Poland with a caricature of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, president of the governing party PiS. The country's foreing minister condemned the float saying it showed "contempt for Poland."
Merkel cracking nuts
Merkel is a beloved subject for float builders: this float in Cologne showed Chancellor Merkel and the tough nuts she has to crack, accompanied by her famous statement "Wir schaffen das" ("We can do it").
Nobel Peace Prize
This 'Nobel Peace Prize' labeled float makes fun of Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and Syrian president Bashar Assad in Cologne.
Right-wing parties
This float symbolizing right-wing parties attacking democracy makes its way through carnival revellers during the annual Rose Monday parade in Cologne.
A black eye for Trump
Donald Trump also fell victim to the float builders' wit. This float would have taken part in the parade in Dusseldorf, where the parade was cancelled because of high winds.
IS faced with clowns
Even "Islamic State" (IS) terror was not spared by Dusseldorf's float builders.
Seehofer's political weight
A carnival float with a giant caricature of Seehofer, chairman of the CSU and premier of the southern German state of Bavaria, was on display in Dusseldorf.