Ljubljana - Karl Erjavec, the president of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), has taken a job at the telecommunications equipment provider Iskratel where he will advise the CEO on expansion to new markets, prompting speculations about the future of his political career.

Iskratel confirmed for the news portal 24ur on Monday that Erjavec would act as assistant director to CEO Željko Puljić for foreign markets based on his "knowledge of the economy as well as politics".

"We are confident that politics can significantly affect the economy for the better when political experience and know-how is leveraged," said the company, which is owned by the Austrian S&T.

It is unusual for presidents of parliamentary parties in Slovenia to have corporate positions. When they are not in government, most are either MPs or full-time presidents of their parties.

The decision has prompted speculations in the media that Erjavec may quit politics, the news coming after his unsuccessful bid to become prime minister and just before the party's executive council discusses DeSUS's course of action.

Unofficial information indicates some council members may urge Erjavec to leave or seek a confidence vote.

Erjavec, who recently announced he would consolidate the party, would not tell the STA whether he was thinking of leaving.

And MP Franc Jurša, the head of the party's deputy group, told the STA that if Erjavec left as party president, it would not be because he got a job at Iskratel.

According to Jurša, Erjavec's job at Iskratel is not the beginning of his departure from the party.