London (CNN) -- Whether or not the British parliament decides to subject the proposed takeover of UK-based AstraZeneca by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to a public interest test, it's clear we have already seen much more political intervention than is typically involved in an acquisition of one company by another. The chief executives of both companies are being hauled in front of not one, but two parliamentary committees this week to give evidence about the possible implications of a deal, when an offer hasn't even been accepted yet. Pfizer's pursuit of AstraZeneca has stirred up a wealth of protectionist feeling in Britain, despite the fact the company was originally created from a merger with Sweden's Astra and has the bulk of its employees outside of the UK. The reaction to Pfizer's bid raises the question of what nationality really means for modern multinationals.
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Institute of Director's Roger Barker says the Pfizer bid for Astrazeneca has prompted significant political intervention
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He said Pfizer's pursuit of Astrazeneca has stirred up a wealth of protectionism, even if it's a global company
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Ultimately the decision is in the hands of the shareholders who must consider the deal carefully
There may even be good reasons to think that the tax benefits for @placeholder give the whole thing a fishy smell.