Thyssenkrupp CEO: government stake one option to fix steel unit

“State participation is one option,” Merz said on Monday at an industry event, days after labour union IG Metall called on Berlin to rescue Germany’s largest steelmaker.

“But state participation can also be part of other options. One could imagine a combination,” she said, adding it would be possible that the government would take a stake before a third party takes over the business.

“What I want is a long-term solution for Thyssenkrupp.”

Last week Economy Minister Peter Altmaier had opposed the idea of the government taking a direct stake, instead favouring support payments to help the industry transition to hydroge-based steel production.