The former head of the Federal Chancellery, Helge Braun (CDU), has lost at least 20 kilograms. The current chairman of the Bundestag budget committee posted a photo from his constituency in Gießen on Instagram, which the “Bild” newspaper picked up on Tuesday. Among them were compliments to read, such as: “Great weight loss. Class.”

Braun himself told the newspaper that being overweight with advancing age is a health risk. “In the run-up to my 50th birthday, it was important to me to reduce my health risks,” said the 49-year-old.