German Finance Minister Hans Eichel, who is gradually shedding an image so grey he was once described as a "paper clip with glasses", has been hailed in a pop song.
Mr Eichel has shed the dour image he had when he took the job in 1999 and is now regarded as an astute politician who has brought Germany's finances in order. Some observers see him as a possible successor to German Chancellor Gerhard Schr÷der.
The chorus of the song by Decibel, a Berlin-based rock group, says of Eichel: "He is thrifty, nifty and sometimes nice - who else?"
A finance ministry official admitted the lyrics were a "joint production" and the department has published the song on its website.
The song has been published to highlight an open day at the finance ministry on September 2nd at which Decibel is due to play.
It is not clear if Mr Eichel also plans to sing.
Not all of Decibel's fans approve. One wrote on the band's website: "Him? Are you crazy?" speculating that the song was just a wheeze for Germany's cash-strapped government to raise revenues through tax on sales of the song's compact disc.
Now, there's an idea for Charlie McCreevy if he is looking to offset falling tax revenues this year... of course, it does mean finding someone to buy the CD.
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