Important turning point in the operation with which Atlantia aims to acquire the Spanish Abertis, a difficult game that has been going on for months now.
According to spokeswoman Inigo Mendez de Vigo, the Government of Madrid has given the go-ahead for the takeover bid by the company controlled by the Benetton family: “The council of ministers has decided to authorize the transfer of Abertis shares to Atlantia. In case of success of the takeover bid by the Italian group – continues the note – Atlantia will be able to enter the competition”.
The Italian group launched the purchase and exchange offer on the shares of the Spanish infrastructure group last May, but has to deal with the counter tender offer launched by the Spanish of Acs (one of the main companies of the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez) through Hochtief.
On February 6, the European antitrust will rule on ACS's offer and, should it approve it, Atlantia should increase its offer from 16 to 17 billion euros.
