Nissan and Renault plan to restructure their alliance to seek integration with Fiat

Nissan and Renault plan to adjust their partnership to relaunch merger talks with Italian automaker Fiat Chrysler, based in the US, according to US media.

Negotiations on the merger between Renault and Fiat Chrysler broke off in June and the Renault president accused the French government of blocking the vote on an agreement that would have boosted the auto industry and the birth of the third global car manufacturer.

The French government denied the accusations, while Nissan had described its relations with Renault as unequal and said: "The French automaker has not seen plans to merge with Fiat Chrysler".

The Wall Street Journal, citing emails and sources close to the two companies, asks Renault to reduce its share of 43% of the shares of the Japanese company. Nissan controls 15% and has no voting rights in Renault, part of which is owned by the French government.

A balanced relationship would ease some of the tension between automakers and reduce Nissan's reluctance to support integration with Chrysler.

A draft agreement on restructuring the relationship could be reached in early September, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing an email in July. Any agreement would require the approval of the French State, which holds 15% of Renault's capital.

The agreement is not inevitable: French President Emmanuel Macaron announced at the end of June that he would not ask for any change in the structure of the two companies.

The same month, Nissan shareholders agreed to restructure in order to strengthen the management of the company after the arrest of his former boss, Carlos Ghosn, accused of financial irregularities.