GERMANY: Dubbed variously "Randy Rudi", the "Self-Defence Minister" and "a laughing stock", German Defence Minister Mr Rudolf Scharping has repeatedly embarrassed Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, writes Derek Scally.
His credibility began to seep away two years ago after he left his wife and began a relationship with Countess Kristina Pilati, a twice-married divorce lawyer.
Last year, in an ill-fated attempt to boost his public image, he allowed gossip magazine Bunte to publish photographs of the couple frolicking in a swimming pool in Majorca under the heading: "So in love under the sun."
The photos were published just as the government was struggling to gather a majority in parliament to send Bundeswehr troops to Macedonia. Mr Scharping was forced to admit that the photographs were an error of judgment. He was also accused of using air force planes for private trips to visit Countess Pilati, who lives in Frankfurt.
He infuriated his European colleagues by delaying the joint purchase of Airbus military aircraft as part of the European common defence project.
A furniture dealer's son from south-western Germany, Mr Scharping was elected the youngest leader of the SPD in 1993 only to be overthrown two years later after his defeat in the federal elections at the hands of incumbent, Dr Helmut Kohl.
Appointed minister after Mr Schröder led the SPD to power in 1998, Mr Scharping won widespread praise a year later for convincing a sceptical parliament to allow German troops to take part in their first mission abroad since the second World War.