A video appearing to show Angela Merkel kissing a woman has stunned audiences - but all is not what it seems.
The clip, which is actually an advert for German magazine Straight, shows a lookalike of the country’s Chancellor gazing out of the window as she listens to a radio report.
As the newsreader says that 62 per cent of Germans are in favour of gay marriage, the figure shakes her head.
She is then approached by another woman, who puts her arms around her and kisses her.
Straight, which is aimed at young gay women, tweeted the clip alongside the caption “Everyone in Europe hates Merkel? Apart from this woman…”
The advert uses a lookalike of the German Chancellor
According to Pink News, Straight’s editors said that they were not trying to be overly confrontational, but were simply making the point that equality laws for homosexuals in Germany are outdated and “even Angela Merkel herself knows that.”
Earlier this month Merkel revealed that while she thinks same-sex couples should be entitled to marital benefits, they should not themselves be allowed to marry.
She told German YouTube star Florian Mundt, alias LeFloid: “I’m someone who is very supportive of us eliminating all discrimination.
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“We have come a long way; when I remember, 25 years ago, many people didn’t dare to say that they are gay or lesbian.
"Luckily we overcame this; you can enter a partnership, a civil partnership.”
“For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together. That is my concept, but I support civil partnerships.”
Ireland votes yes to gay marriage
Ireland Gay Marriage(01 of16)
Yes supporters react at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(02 of16)
Rory O'Neill, known by the Drag persona Panti, celebrates with yes supporters at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(03 of16)
Yes supporters celebrate at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(04 of16)
Yes supporters celebrate after the final result at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(05 of16)
Two women kiss as first results in the referendum begin to filter through at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(06 of16)
Yes supporters celebrate as first results begin to filter through in referendum at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(07 of16)
Yes supporters celebrate as first results in the Irish referendum start to come through at Dublin castle, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(08 of16)
A yes supporter waits at Dublin castle for the final result in the referendum in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(09 of16)
Two men kiss as first results start to filter through in the referendum, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(10 of16)
Yes supporters celebrate after as the first results start to filter through in the Irish referendum in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Ireland has voted resoundingly to legalize gay marriage in the world's first national vote on the issue, leaders on both sides of the Irish referendum declared Saturday even as official ballot counting continued. Senior figures from the "no" campaign, who sought to prevent Ireland's constitution from being amended to permit same-sex marriages, say the only question is how large the "yes" side's margin of victory will be from Friday's vote. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(11 of16)
Partners Adrian, left and Shane, arrive to vote at a polling station in Drogheda, Ireland, Friday, May 22, 2015. Ireland began voting Friday in a referendum on Gay marriage which will require an amendment to the Irish constitution. Opinion polls throughout the two-month campaign suggest the government-backed amendment should be approved by the required majority of voters when results are announced Saturday. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Gay Marriage(12 of16)
Members of the Yes Equality campaign begin canvassing in the center of Dublin, Ireland, Thursday May 21, 2015. People from across the Republic of Ireland will vote Friday in a referendum on the legalization of gay marriage, a vote that pits the power of the Catholic Church against the secular-minded Irish government of Enda Kenny. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(13 of16)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: A gay couple kiss in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)
Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(14 of16)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: Thousands of people celebrate in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)
Ireland Holds Referendum On Same Sex Marriage Law(15 of16)
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 23: An emotional gay couple celebrate in Dublin Castle Square as the result of the referendum is relayed on May 23, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Voters in the Republic of Ireland were taking part in a referendum on legalising same-sex marriage on Friday. The referendum was held 22 years after Ireland decriminalised homosexuality with more than 3.2m people being asked whether they want to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Ireland voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage in a historic referendum. More than 62% voted in favour of amending the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. It is the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) (credit:Charles McQuillan via Getty Images)
IRELAND-GAY-MARRIAGE-VOTE(16 of16)
Irish Senator Katherine Zappone (L) kisses her partner Ann Louise Gilligan as supporters for same-sex marriage wait for the result of the referendum at Dublin Castle on May 23, 2015 in Dublin. Yes voters were basking in the sunshine today as they gathered to celebrate an expected victory in Ireland's referendum on whether to approve same-sex marriage.AFP PHOTO / Paul Faith (Photo credit should read PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL FAITH via Getty Images)