After German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s defeat in national elections, rumors have been swirling as to what he will do next. Some have suggested he was considering becoming an adviser for Russia’s gas giant Gazprom, but Klaus Uwe Benneter, Secretary General of Schroeder’s own party says otherwise:

“These are rotten rumors. Gerhard Schroeder cannot simply retire. Probably he will have more free time. But I am absolutely convinced that he will remain in politics,” Benneter said in a Tuesday interview with N-24 TV channel.

While Schroeder could make beaucoup bucks shilling for Gazprom, getting involved in the dirty world of Russian money and politics might not be the best thing for Schroeder’s political future. After all, Gazprom is state-owned, and Putin and the rest of his ex-KGB goon-squad are running the show.