⁍ Italy is considering extending beyond the current year-end deadline the special powers it has to block attempts by European suitors to acquire Italian companies.

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⁍ The government in April strengthened existing anti-takeover powers in the financial, credit, insurance, energy, defence, telecommunications, transport, water, health, semiconductors and cybersecurity industries.

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⁍ The bill was approved when the coronavirus crisis had hit share prices, potentially making unsolicited acquisitions easier.

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– Italy is considering extending special anti-takeover powers it gave the country in April to fend off foreign takeovers in key sectors, including banks and insurers, Reuters reports. The law, which gives Italy temporary powers until the end of the year to block takeovers in key sectors from outside the European Union, was approved when the coronavirus crisis hit share prices, potentially making unsolicited acquisitions easier. It allows Rome to ward off unwelcome takeovers in key sectors from non-EU and—on a temporary basis—until Dec. 31— EU groups. The government may extend the intra-EU regime by further six months, two government sources said on Friday, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. Talks still need to be finalized within the Italian ruling coalition, they added.