A German magazine aimed at gay women has launched with a provocative new advert appearing to show Angela Merkel in a lesbian relationship.

The short clip, promoted on Twitter and swiftly picked up by German newspapers, features an actress bearing a strong resemblance to the country’s leader looking out of a window before being joined by a younger woman.

As ‘Merkel’ looks out of her window a radio reports that 62 per cent of Germans are in favour of gay marriage – but the actress playing Ms Merkel simply shakes her head before the younger woman kisses her.

Straight! Magazine's tweet was accompanied by the caption: "Everyone in Europe hates Merkel? Apart from this woman..."

It comes just a week after Ms Merkel insisted that marriage should only be between a man and woman – much to civil rights campaigners’ chagrin.

Ms Merkel, a committed Christian who has been married twice, told YouTube personality Florian Mundt (better known as LeFloid) that “For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together.”

The chancellor went on to say that she remained committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and that she was a committed proponent of registered civil partnerships.

The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe Show all 15 1 /15 The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 15. Italy Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 14. Macedonia Processed by: Helicon Filter; The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 13. Poland Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 12. Liechtenstein The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 11. Lithuania The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 10. Latvia This content is subject to copyright. The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 9. San Marino The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 8. Moldova The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 7. Belarus Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 6. Ukraine Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 5. Monaco The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 4. Turkey Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 3. Armenia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 2. Russia Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 1. Azerbaijan Norway's Mette B. Bjerknaes competes during the Powerboat race on July 6, 2013 in Baku. Baku hosts the second race F2 World Championship 2013. The 2 mile course is designed just in front of the Baku Boulevard facing the Caspian Sea. AFP PHOTO / TOFIK BABAYEV (Photo credit should read TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP/Getty Images) Getty/AFP