Left Party tries to Right East-West Row

The campaign poster in question depicts Left Party co-chair Gregor Gysi -- from the east -- grinning lovingly at his other co-chair Oskar Lafontaine -- from the west -- in an obsequious manner.

There are a number of theories on the reasoning behind such a choice of motif. One is that the pose is meant to symbolize reconciliation between eastern and western Germany. Gysi, the former leader of the Party of Democratic Socialism -- the successor to East Germany's communist party -- is leading the new party with Lafontaine, the disgruntled former leader of the Social Democrats.

PDS spokesman Hendrik Thalheim has another idea. "It is supposed to show that Gysi and Lafontaine are fighting with fun and zest for a common goal," Thalheim said, adding Gysi was known for his "mischievous, humorous manner."

Gysi himself was not consulted as to the poster's design, but took the uproar in stride. He said that despite appearances, the poster did not mean he was in a subordinate role. "I'm still the boss," Gysi said. "But we deal with each other on equal terms."

The two convivial comrades have been pasted over as of Wednesday, however. In western Germany they have been replaced with a poster depicting just Lafontaine, and in the east with Gysi on his own.