German news weekly Der Spiegel reported that the German federal government is scribbling up plans and laws to prevent foreign states buying shares in German ITC companies which churn out shenanigans critical to national security. Consolidated funds run by countries like Abu Dhabi or China have been investing considerable wads of money in foreign companies.
The German Ministry of the Interior, which is run by the somewhat overly concerned conservative Wolfgang Schäuble whose laws were mostly deemed to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, is apparently working behind the scenes to keep companies like biometrics firm Dermalog or chipmaker Infineon German. Undersecretary of state Hans Bernhard Beus reportedly held a presentation in front of a dozen members of the Bundestag, i.e. the German congress, with the grand title 'Strategies for the Sustainment of the National IT Security Industry'. Beus stated certain companies are especially sensitive to competition from the likes of Microsoft, Intel or Cisco. These companies thus have to be supported by the state, namely by means of direct state investment.
German stock corporation law provides a blocking minority if someone ones 25.1% of a company. The plans which are being discussed would see the German state buy 25.1% of companies deemed vital to state interests. Such steps would keep foreign investors from being able to dabble in interior politics by means of their investments. Politrickians are also discussing to change the law on foreign trade and payments to completely shut out foreign investors from buying companies relevant to the nations security.
Talks are currently being held between the owners of the Bundesdruckerei and the state. The Bundesdruckerei, which prints ID cards and passports complete with biometric trickery, was privatized a few years ago after it was on the verge of collapsing and is now turning in a healthy profit. Germany wants at least enough of it back to have a blocking minority and protect it from going foreign.
Similar steps are being discussed by all countries in the western hemisphere. The Swedish state recently said it would have to check any foreign takeover of operator TeliaSonera, as the company also runs the national intelligence communications infrastructure. X |