Increasing Calls for Nokia Boycott in Germany

German authorities ratchet up the action in a dispute between Nokia and German authorities over a plant closure, by increasing calls for a boycott of Nokia phones. German politicians, including Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer, Social Democratic party leader Kurt Beck and Social Democratic parliamentary leader Peter Struck announced that they would be trading in their Nokia handsets for other brands. Meanwhile, the Confederation of German Trade unions also issued a call for a Nokia boycott in response to the proposed plant closure. The German Economy Ministry disclosed that it had hosted discussions between Nokia officials and the economy minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the plant is located. However no details were revealed. Chancellor Angela Merkel Demands Explanations On Friday German chancellor Angela Merkel demanded that the Espoo-based handset manufacturer reveal the reasons for the shutdown.

In a statement issued by her spokesman, Merkel said that the decision "raises questions" which the government wants answered.

On Tuesday, Nokia announced it is shutting Germany's last surviving mobile handset factory in Bochum, western Germany, which has a staff of 2,300 people. Most of the manufacturing operation will move to Romania. Employees at the plant have staged demonstrations against the shutdown.

A Nokia spokesman said Thursday that the company would not enter into discussions with German authorities about keeping the Bochum plant in operation.

The company has been accused of ingratitude, because it accepted state subsidies in the past. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is demanding that Nokia return subsidies worth some 10 million euros.