Germany: towards a condemnation of the “Volkswagen” law by the ECJ

The Court of Justice to the European Communities' Advocate general presented his opinion on February 13, 2007, in the case opposing the European Commission to Germany regarding the legislation called "Volkswagen" protecting the German constructor against any risk of takeover. If the court follows these conclusions, the legislation will have to be reexamined, which causes a hostile reaction from IG Metall. (Ref. 070137)
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“The Volkswagen company represents the most visible example of the social market economy’s success” but it has to accept economic changes; this is in substance the advocate general’s message in this case, opposing the European Commission to Germany on the “Volkswagen” law. Calling on the principle of free circulation of capital, the Commission is criticizing this bill – which transformed the former company with limited responsibility, held at 100% by the German federal state, into a public comp

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