Berlin foreign investors’ bill clears hurdle

The German government braved hefty protests from business as the cabinet adopted a bill 20 August 2008 that would shield strategic German industries from unwanted foreign investors.
The mechanism, loosely modelled on the Committee on Foreign Investments in the US, will allow the government to reverse any acquisition of more than 25 per cent of a German company by a non-European investor.

Deutsche Welle, 20.8.08: Germany Moves to Protect Companies From Foreign Takeovers http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3580978,00.html

ESO: Background information: Germany warned of clash on ‘Cfius’ plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-warned-of-clash-on-cfius-plan/

EurActiv, 21.8.08: Germany unveils law to block foreign takeovers http://www.euractiv.com/en/financial-services/germany-unveils-law-block-foreign-takeovers/article-174818

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