According to German news agency DPA, EADS has given up on its plan to implement

a golden share and now considers the option of limiting its shareholders’ voting rights inorder to protect itself against a hostile takeover bid. Under this new scenario, the groupwould limit voting rights for all shareholders controlling 15 % of its capital, explained the newsagency, citing unidentified industry sources. EADS declined to comment, but Daimler, whoowns 15 % of the group’s capital, said no decision had been taken. Confirmation came thisweek-end from Rudiger Grube, who pleaded for “a fresh protection mechanism” to stopforeign takeovers. He mentioned that any decision would have to get approval from Brusselsand be acceptable to financial markets. Anyway, such changes would probably not happenthis year, he added. The purpose is to “stop somebody who would like to take more than a15% stake” shareholding in the firm. Les Echos recalls that Paris and Berlin were bothfavourable to a golden share, while Brussels first seemed reluctant.
Reuters (20/03), Les Echos(21/03), Financial Times, AFX, AFP, (24/03), Les Echos, La Tribune, Le Figaro Economie, Liberation