Art & Books · Berlin, Aachen, and Windsor
David Safier turns CDU politician Armin Laschet into reluctant spy in new James Bond parody '00-Laschet'
Bestselling author David Safier follows his 'Miss Merkel' series with a comedy novel in which Armin Laschet, as Germany's president, stumbles into a secret agent role and must save the world. The book is published on 19 June.
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In brief
Author David Safier explains he chose CDU politician Armin Laschet for his new spy parody because Laschet does not generate anger, unlike Chancellor Friedrich Merz or former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.
In the novel, Laschet becomes Germany's president and accidentally discovers Bellevue Palace is a secret intelligence centre, forcing him to save the world.
The story takes him to Schloss Windsor and the Côte d'Azur, involves a near-affair with Madonna, and a disastrous meeting with the British royal family due to his ignorance of protocol.
The James Bond parody '00-Laschet' is published on 19 June 2026, following Safier's earlier 'Miss Merkel' crime series.
- 19 JunBook '00-Laschet' published
- 16 JulSafier holds reading in Aachen, Laschet announced as guest
A new literary spy
David Safier, author of the successful 'Miss Merkel' detective series, has chosen a fresh political figure for his latest parody. The novel, titled '00-Laschet', reimagines CDU politician Armin Laschet as the President of Germany who accidentally discovers that his official residence, Schloss Bellevue, doubles as a top-secret intelligence headquarters. The book hits shelves on 19 June.
“I believe Laschet is not someone who creates anger.”
Why Laschet and not Merz or Habeck
Safier explained why he passed over Chancellor Friedrich Merz and former Green Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck for the role. Both, he told the German Press Agency, attract considerable public anger. Laschet, by contrast, carries a milder image.
“Laschet manages to save the world, but he actually can't help it. But he has the compass and the right heart.”
Safier added that his image of Laschet is that of 'the friendly old Federal Republic' – the Rhenish, a bit cozy, a politician people might want as their mayor.
Plot and character
In the novel, Laschet's wife offers backhanded encouragement as he departs for Berlin: 'Armin, you always find the right way. After you've tried a bunch of wrong ones.' The protagonist is annoyed that his predecessor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, never warned him about the spy centre hidden in the palace.
His sidekick is the daughter of his Aachen neighbour, who still calls him 'Uncle Laschi'. The story careers through Schloss Windsor, the Côte d'Azur and almost into an affair with pop star Madonna. A meeting with the British royal couple goes badly wrong because President Laschet has no grasp of royal protocol and declares, 'I have to go for the little Königstiger.'
“My picture is, so to speak, the friendly old Federal Republic. Sort of the Rhenish, a bit cozy. That's not a polarizing politician, but a friendly one, who maybe everyone thinks they'd like to have as mayor.”
Launch and live events
'00-Laschet' is released on 19 June. Safier has a reading scheduled in Aachen on 16 July, and Laschet has been announced as a guest. Whether the politician will read on stage is still undecided.
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Sources and context
- Armin Laschet
- CDU politician, former chancellor candidate, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; inspiration and protagonist of Safier's '00-Laschet' novel
- David Safier
- Bestselling German author of the 'Miss Merkel' series and the new James Bond parody '00-Laschet'
- Friedrich Merz
- Chancellor of Germany, considered but rejected by Safier as a novel hero because he attracts public anger
- Robert Habeck
- Former Green Vice Chancellor, also passed over by Safier because of public anger directed at him
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- Predecessor as President of Germany in the novel; Laschet is annoyed Steinmeier did not warn him about the secret spy centre in Bellevue Palace
- Madonna
- Pop star who appears in the novel, almost having an affair with the fictional President Laschet
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