The simultaneous weakening of German financial and industrial champions raises serious concerns about national sovereignty and job security. Unicredit's expanding role means that key credit decisions for German businesses are increasingly made in Milan. This could reduce lending to local Mittelstand firms, which are the backbone of the economy. Varta's plight is a cautionary tale: without targeted state support, a historic manufacturer may vanish, taking thousands of jobs with it. The German government's reluctance to intervene contrasts with France’s active industrial policy. Siemens' dismantling, while profitable for shareholders, risks hollowing out the company’s core engineering identity and may lead to more job losses as separate units face takeover pressure. These developments suggest a pattern of asset stripping rather than renewal. Policymakers should consider stronger safeguards to protect strategic industries and domestic control.
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Warning against the risks of foreign control and dismantling German industrial assets
Published July 27, 2026 at 7:02 AM UTC