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Angela Merkel Barbie doll that was unveiled at the 60th international toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany. Photograph: Reuters
She is tall, blonde and curvy, has cornflower blue eyes and implausible anatomical proportions. Meet Angela Merkel, the Barbie doll.
As part of a series to celebrate the toy's 50th birthday, manufacturer Mattel has brought out a version modelled on the German chancellor. The doll wears the politician's tailored trouser suit and her trademark blonde bob, but the resemblance ends there: its tiny waistline is more Heidi Klum than Angela Merkel and its smiling face is free of the worry lines produced when you are trying to fight economic crisis in Europe's largest economy.
A spokeswoman for Mattel said that like Barbie, Merkel embodied the dreams of many girls who want to get on in the world. "She's simply a good role model for girls around the world," she said.
The new doll was presented this week at the 60th annual international toy fair in the southern German city of Nuremberg.
The Merkel Barbie managed to upstage other highlights among the 70,000 new toys being exhibited at the fair, which this year is concentrating heavily on environmentally-friendly items.
A Swiss manufacturer is presenting a doll's house made of cardboard, complete with a rubbish recycling point, a water butt, a roof varnished with wax, with windmill and solar panels to provide energy. Exhibiting alongside these creations is the world's first hydrogen fuel-cell toy car, which should go on sale for €190 from August for children aged 12 and above. The manufacturers said one aim of the toys was to inspire children to encourage their parents to "go green".
• This article was amended on Saturday 7 February 2009. The Angela Merkel Barbie doll is one of a kind and will not go on sale for €20 (£17.50). It is currently being exhibited at the world's largest toy fair in Nuremburg, Germany. This has been corrected.
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