While Mediaset is preparing to become Dutch, Vivendi returns to the attack on voting rights. The French shareholders, who own 9,61% of the share capital of Mediaset and 29,9% of the voting rights, sent a letter, written strictly in Italian by the general secretary of Vivendi, Frederic Crepin, asking to "convene without delay" a new meeting for the revocation of the double vote".
The intentions of the colossus led by Vincent Bolloré are clear. Il Biscione explains in a note that the request was made "in the interest of Mediaset and its shareholders" for the purpose "of revoking the resolutions passed by the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of 18 April". Deliberations which, according to the French, "would be invalid for having" Mediaset "illegitimately excluded" Vincent Bolloré's group "from the exercise of the right to vote". In fact, two and a half months ago, Mediaset's board of directors decided to oppose the request of the group and of the trust company Simon (to which 19,19% is held) to exercise the voting rights inherent in their respective shareholdings during the meeting . A ban on participation in shareholders' meetings was also imposed for the trust company. Decisions immediately defined as "illegal" by Vivendi.
The board of directors will carry out the appropriate evaluations on the request in view of the adoption of the relevant decisions. According to Ansa, the meeting should be convened within ten days.
However, the controversies between the two "factions" date back much earlier. Two years ago, the transalpines first blew up the purchase of Mediaset Premium (the deal then ended up in court) and then raked up almost 30% of Mediaset. Subsequently, due to the Gasparri law on control ceilings in the media and telecommunications sector - Vivendi holds 23,9% of Tim's capital - the Bolloré company was forced to turn over 19,19% to the trustee Simon directly retaining control over 9,6%.
At Piazza Affari the Mediaset title earns 0,74% to 2,861 euros.
