The Japanese automaker Nissan will examine “this week” the thorny issue of the rise of the French state in the capital of its French partner Renault, announced Monday the CEO of both companies, Carlos Ghosn.
“The Board of Directors of Nissan will meet this week and analyze the situation,” said Mr. Ghosn, asked about the controversy at a press conference at the Shanghai Motor Show (China ).
Mr. Ghosn has also refused to comment on the merits of the case, including the results to be expected from the meeting of the board of the Japanese manufacturer, the precise date has not been provided.
“We can not speculate on a board that is made from different people, different personalities, which need to know exactly what happened, or are the facts, or are discussions, that’s why I will not allow to comment on it and certainly not to speculate on what might come out, “said Ghosn in an interview with AFP after his press conference.
“The Renault board met, took resolutions, has released a statement, I think there must wait until Nissan Council go, look at it, and then we will see in function, “said Mr. Ghosn.
On Thursday night, the Renault’s board had repeated his opposition to the application within the company’s” Florange law, “a device designed speculators and guarantees of double voting rights to shareholders for more than two years.
Possible scenarios against attack
A resolution rejecting the application of this law was presented to the agenda of the General Meeting of Renault shareholders on April 30, and will raise more than two-thirds vote for approval.
However, the French government decided to defend the law and rights, acquired additional 4.73% stake in the group to the diamond, increasing its share to 19.7% and its voting rights exercisable at 23.2%, likely to bring him a minority blocking saw the usual rate of participation in the vote of the general assemblies of Renault.
Nissan holds 15% of Renault and the French company controls 44% stake in the Japanese automaker. But Nissan does not vote at the general meeting under French regulations on the “self” of companies.
The agenda of the meeting to Thursday night’s board of directors, ” changes in the composition of the shareholding of Renault and its impact on the Alliance “with Nissan, had fueled speculation about an attack against Mr. Ghosn via a possible amendment of the terms of the alliance in 1999 with Nissan.
One of the possible scenarios of a response would be a revival of Nissan voting rights at Renault, through a decrease in the participation of the group to the diamond at Japanese capital in the 40 % through a sale of shares or a capital increase.
In his statement Thursday, the Board of Directors of Renault called “balance between the two main Renault shareholders (the French state and Nissan, Ed) is held at the next General Assembly or restored after it. “
The Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron had for its part assured, also on Thursday that” the balance of the alliance are and will be fully safeguarded by the French state “and the newly acquired shares would be” sold soon after the general meeting. “
But the principle of double votes at Renault if he survives the General Assembly will mechanically reinforce the influence of the state in the constructor, nationalized the Liberation and became a limited company in the early 1990s.
(With AFP)
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