(ANSA-AFP) - ROME, JUL 8 - Italy's UniCredit said Wednesday it had secured an additional 17.6 percent stake in Germany's Commerzbank as part of its hostile and highly political takeover bid to create a European giant. UniCredit said in a statement that "shares representing 17.60 percent of Commerzbank's outstanding share capital have been tendered, well ahead of original expectations". UniCredit said that this added up to 49.65 percent of Commerzbank voting rights, taking into account its directly held 26.77 percent stake and different financial instruments. "The completion of the tender offer periods represents a further step in the execution of UniCredit's strategic investment in Commerzbank," UniCredit, Italy's second biggest lender, said. The Milan-based bank launched its bid, valued at 35 billion euros ($40.6 billion), in early May to gain control of its German rival and cement its status as a European heavyweight. The offer price has been widely seen as too low and marks the latest move in UniCredit's relentless pursuit of Commerzbank that has sparked fury from the lender and top German politicians. (ANSA-AFP).