A Dutch court has rejected Vivendi’s request to suspend Mediaset’s merger plans.
The Berlusconi-owned Mediaset filed the plan with the Dutch register of companies last week, which would combine its Italian and Spanish businesses to form a Dutch unit called MediaforEurope (MFE).
The ruling is the latest in a long legal battle between the two companies, bringing the Italian media company closer to finalising its merger.
Vivendi holds a 29 per cent stake in Mediaset and fears the creation of MFE would strengthen Berlusconi’s grip on the company.
The French company said it would appeal the court’s decision, stating that “if Mediaset’s plan goes ahead, it would cause disproportionate damage to all minority shareholders.”
