Germany's Lower Saxony state premier to resign, say sources

German Minister President of Lower Saxony Stephan Weil speaks during the opening of Canada's booth at the Hannover Messe, which has Canada as this year's partner country for one of the world's largest industrial trade fairs, as both Canada and the European Union face new U.S. tariffs, in Hanover, Germany, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

BERLIN (Reuters) -Veteran German Social Democrat (SPD) Stephan Weil plans to stand down as premier of the state of Lower Saxony after 12 years in office, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The state of Lower Saxony has a major influence on Volkswagen, which is headquartered in the state, due to a special law which effectively gives it a blocking minority. Lower Saxony owns 11.8% of its shares and has 20% voting rights.