BERLIN — Barack Obama's wax doppelganger took office in several European capitals Thursday _ five days before the real-life Obama takes over in Washington.

In Amsterdam, Obama's predecessor George W. Bush was booted to the sidewalk, complete with baggage.

Standing in Berlin between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Madame Tussauds' newest museum, the president-elect is shown smiling broadly with his arms crossed across his chest.

"He looks very happy and like he might be in for a reality check," said Nancy Green, events coordinator for Democrats Abroad in Berlin.

A similarly beaming Obama figure was on display in the window of Madame Tussauds' in Amsterdam, while Bush had been bundled out the door, surrounded by suitcases.

"We're not taking him back here," said museum spokeswoman Annemick Dolfin of the Bush figure. "He's going in the archive."

The departing Bush remained on the sidewalk outside the museum on Dam Square for about 90 minutes.