In November 2005, just weeks before stepping down as Germany’s chancellor, Gerhard Schröder signed the controversial North European Gas Pipeline deal (later renamed “Nord Stream”) with Russia. Directly after leaving office, Schröder accepted the nomination as chairman of the Russian state-controlled company (a subsidiary of Gazprom) responsible for the project, leading to allegations of corruption and cronyism. Members on both sides of the aisle in Germany denounced Mr. Schröder’s actions.