Germany will not sell any more shares in Commerzbank for now and the bank's strategy is "geared towards independence," the country's Finance Agency said on Friday, in the clearest sign yet that the government doesn't currently favour a takeover of the nation's No.

UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel stated that a merger with Commerzbank could deliver substantial value for stakeholders, strengthening both banks in the German market. Orcel highlighted potential savings in central

The government said it won’t offload any additional shares in the bank following the sale to UniCredit for €702 million. The move marks an U-turn for the government.

UniCredit was able to buy 4.5% of Commerzbank from the German state because the government trusts the Italian bank, its CEO said in a newspaper interview, ruling out any "aggressive" moves such as an unsolicited buyout bid.

Opposition within the German government to a potential takeover of Commerzbank by UniCredit is solidifying, amid anger at the way the Italian bank acquired its 9 per cent stake and concern over potential macroeconomic risks a merger might pose to the German economy.

By Tom Sims and Christian Kraemer FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Commerzbank employees and a prominent labour union on Friday called on the German government to oppose a takeover of the German lender by Italy's UniCredit as workers fear massive job losses if a deal goes through.