Schroeder goes to work for Gazprom

[AuH2O]

http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/602

I don't really think this requires comment, except to note the level of hypocrisy is so high as to be rather comical.

[afleitch]

Which has now cut off gas suplies to and through the Ukraine...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Apparently a few weeks ago he was getting pissed in a remote town pretty close to where I live...

[opebo]

I don't really think this requires comment, except to note the level of hypocrisy is so high as to be rather comical.

What hypocrisy?

[AuH2O]

Err, Schroder is a German "socialist" getting paid a lot of money by the Russian government just a few weeks after leaving the PM office. Not a very "socialist" thing to do.

[Middle-aged Europe]

I'm surprised that it took that long for the story to hit the forum. Schröder's new Gazprom job has stirred up a controversy in Germany several weeks ago.

Perhaps it's noteworthy that in addition to the Gazprom post, Schröder also got a job as a "consultant" for a Zurich-based media conglomerate. He certainly knows how to come off as a winner in any kind of situation... even when he loses an election.

The scope of his "post-Chancellorial" business career is also more or less unusual for German politics. Actually, it seems rather Cheney-esque. Or to quote the American visiting professor at my university department: "Congratulations that your political elite has become as corrupt as the one in my country".



Now, the interesting part of the article posted by AuH2O here is that the author had to point out twice that Schröder is a "socialist", once he even mentions it in connection with the fact that Putin was in the KGB, as if this would be relevant. I think a common misconception about Schröder among conservatives (especially conservatives outside of Germany) is that he's a "socialist" or "anti-American". He's neither. He's an opportunist and as such as unideological and pragmatic as you can get. He sees an opportunity he could benefit from and just takes it.

He could also be described as sort of an actor. He's just playing a "socialist". Instead of being a SPD politician, he could very well be in the CDU, the Left Party/PDS, or the FDP. His rhethorics would change a bit in order comfort the base of his respective party, but aside from this it wouldn't make much difference for him unless he's able to stay in charge. Hell, he could probably be a hardcore conservative... if this would be very popular in Germany.

[opebo]

Err, Schroder is a German "socialist" getting paid a lot of money by the Russian government just a few weeks after leaving the PM office. Not a very "socialist" thing to do.

Your post is silly, AuH2O.  One may advocate socialism political, but that does not change the fact that one lives in a thoroughly capitalist world, and one must act accordingly or suffer dire consequences (poverty). 

The way to 'be socialist' is if the State stops imposing capitalism.  It isn't something an individual can do.

[minionofmidas]

Which has now cut off gas suplies to and through the Ukraine...

After the contract by which Ukraine got gas for a fraction of the value has expired after ten years, and Ukraine's Orangemen weirdos have hardly tried to negotiate a new contract - it's not as if they could afford market prices, and most pipelines by which Russia exports to the West run through the country, so Russia can't actually cut off the supplies (and needless to say hasn't.)

[GOP = Terrorists]

Err, Schroder is a German "socialist" getting paid a lot of money by the Russian government just a few weeks after leaving the PM office. Not a very "socialist" thing to do.

That makes no sense unless he wasn't paying his taxes. =)

[AuH2O]

My point was not that Schroeder is actually "socialist." Anyone with a brain knows he's a dirty, diseased whore. I just think it's funny all the same.

[minionofmidas]

Err, Schroder is a German "socialist" getting paid a lot of money by the Russian government just a few weeks after leaving the PM office. Not a very "socialist" thing to do.

That makes no sense unless he wasn't paying his taxes. =)

He's not actually paid all that much. Rather low pay by comparison to how these jobs go, apparently.

[opebo]

My point was not that Schroeder is actually "socialist." Anyone with a brain knows he's a dirty, diseased whore. I just think it's funny all the same.

Why do you attempt to insult one who is opposed to you with that which is a part of your own ideology?

[2952-0-0]

The BBC says Russia and Ukraine have reached a deal to restart the gas...

[minionofmidas]

Strange deal...Gazprom now sells the gas for Ukraine to some other company at slightly below  market prize, which sells it to Ukraine for less than half that rate. Btw, that's still twice what Ukraine had paid till lately. However, they'll also get 50% more in fees for letting Russian gas through to the West.