You have to marvel at the massive hubris of the Obama campaign to even suggest something like this to the German government: Merkel warns Obama not to use landmark for ‘electioneering’.

BERLIN (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has slammed a request by Barack Obama to give a speech this month before the Brandenburg Gate as inappropriate, her deputy spokesman said Wednesday.

The conservative leader said that while she would be pleased to meet the US Democratic presidential hopeful, it would be wrong for him to hold a “campaign rally” at the historic symbol of German unity.

“It is unusual to do electioneering abroad,” spokesman Thomas Steg told reporters.

“It is unusual to hold election rallies abroad. No German candidate for high office would even think of using the National Mall (in Washington) or Red Square in Moscow for a rally because it would not be seen as appropriate.”

Authorities in the capital have confirmed that Obama plans to visit Berlin on July 24 and is interested in speaking at the foot of the Brandenburg Gate.

The left-leaning government of the city-state, which has the sole right to approve such a request, has not yet made a formal decision but Mayor Klaus Wowereit gave his backing Tuesday.

Steg said Merkel had “limited understanding” for such a request and found the Obama team’s initiative “a bit odd”.

This isn’t going to do much to dispel the impression that Barack Obama is an arrogant elitist.