German leader adopts Russian three-year-old

Germany's leader Gerhard Schroder and his wife Doris have adopted a Russian orphan.

It is believed his close friendship with Russian premier Vladimir Putin helped fast-track adoption papers for the three-year-old, who is called Victoria.

The child has lived most of her life in an orphanage in St Petersburg, Mr Putin's home town, but has now moved to the weekend residence of the German chancellor in Hanover.

Four-times-married Mr Schroder has no children of his own. His wife has a daughter, Klara, 13, from a previous marriage.

Newspapers in Germany reported that the deal to get Victoria was so secret that not even the chancellor's bodyguards were informed.

Best-selling newspaper Bild said: "Putin and his wife were with Schrˆder in Hanover when he celebratedhis 60th birthday earlier this year. Could it be that the couple spoke of their wish for a child?"

Mr Schrˆder will no doubt appreciate the love of a daughter. With his political ratings at historic lows, about 90,000 protesters against his economic reforms hit the streets last night in a now-weekly ritual.