Definition: In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.
Input: Passage: In the escalating battle for control of German auto giant Volkswagen, the regional state authorities of Lower Saxony are seeking support from other shareholders versus luxury sports car maker Porsche, the Financial Times reported on Monday. Lower Saxony's regional premier Christian Wulff is to meet leading institutional investors early next year to gauge whether to fight Porsche's increasing influence over VW, the newspaper said, quoting shareholders.

influence