Changes of prominent (former) politicians in leading positions in the economy are neither rare nor reserved for a party political color.
Nevertheless, the appointment of the former SPD vice chancellor, foreign and economics minister Sigmar Gabriel as chairman of the supervisory board of Thyssenkrupp's steel division has attracted particular attention - not only because his former sponsor Gerhard Schröder is still on the Rosneft payroll.
After Gabriel resigned his offices, he was drawn to the supervisory bodies of Deutsche Bank and Siemens Energy, and he also advised meat manufacturer Tönnies.
Now Gabriel is also in the saddle of the largest German steel manufacturer.
The rise in energy prices in the wake of the Ukraine war is once again threatening the very existence of the Ruhr area icon.
It could prove helpful to have a well-connected ex-energy minister in our ranks - who, by the way, saw no alternative to Russian gas at the time.
Unlike Comrade Schröder, he has now moved away from this position.