German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has downplayed the likelihood of Italy’s UniCredit launching a full acquisition of German lender Commerzbank (ETR: CBKG) in the near term. Speaking at a press conference in Rome after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Merz confirmed that the current 28% stake UniCredit holds in Commerzbank remains below the legal 30% threshold that would mandate a formal takeover offer under German law.
UniCredit, which received approval from the European Central Bank in March to increase its stake to 29.9%, has stated the holding is purely a financial investment. The Italian bank has pushed any decision on a potential takeover of Commerzbank to 2026 or 2027, even while acknowledging that a full acquisition would be the most strategic outcome.
Merz reiterated that there are no immediate concerns or discussions between the two governments regarding a merger. “It is not foreseeable that this level will be reached or crossed,” he said, adding that no talks on Commerzbank took place during his meeting with Meloni. “We would only address the matter if circumstances change.”
The German finance ministry also dismissed recent media reports suggesting Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil might hold talks with his Italian counterpart over UniCredit’s ambitions. Merz has previously warned that a takeover of Commerzbank by UniCredit would be “devastating” for Germany, indicating Berlin’s clear stance against foreign acquisition of key national financial institutions.
The potential merger between UniCredit and Commerzbank continues to draw scrutiny as the Italian lender edges close to the critical threshold, yet political resistance and regulatory caution are likely to delay any concrete moves.