Shareholder rights
Good corporate governance entails balancing rights, powers and responsibilities of both the corporate board and the (minority) shareholders of the company.
With regard to the rights of (minority) shareholders, the following issues are important:
- One vote should be attached to each single share.
- Shareholders should be able to exercise their voting rights at any shareholders meeting by proxy or by attending the shareholder meeting with a minimum of administrative obstacles.
- Shareholder resolutions, when meeting legal requirements, should be put to vote at the shareholder meeting.
- In case of capital increase, pre-emptive rights for existing shareholders should apply.
- Issues of strategic importance for the company (e.g. major transactions) should be put to vote at a shareholder meeting.
