STOIBER DRINKS FROM A BAVARIAN STEIN DURING THE TRADITIONAL OPENING
CEREMONY OF THE BAVARIAN STRONG BEER SEASON IN MUNICH.


Edmund Stoiber (R), Bavarian Prime Minister and conservative challenger
of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, his wife Karin (2nd R) and
Friedrich Merz drink from a Bavarian stein during the traditional
opening ceremony of the strong beer season in Munich March 7, 2002.
Politicans face satire and criticism during a traditional stage
performance so-called 'Derblecken'. REUTERS/Michael Dalder