Competition
The EU’s expanding view of mergers
The EU has stepped up its anti-trust game. But is looking at market share a flawed criterion to ensure consumers' interests? The forthcoming merger of eyewear giants Luxottica and Essilor will be telltale.
2018 start for expansion of Russia-backed Hungarian nuclear plant
Work on the Russian-financed expansion of a Hungarian nuclear plant will begin in January, Hungary's foreign minister said Monday (29 August) after talks in Budapest between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Amazon starts price war on organic foods
Amazon announced discounts on “Whole Foods” products, soon after US antitrust authority and Whole Foods shareholders authorized the e-commerce giant to acquire the specialty organic foods chain. EURACTIV's partner Italia Oggi reports.
Commission launches in-depth probe of Bayer-Monsanto merger
The European Commission has launched an "in-depth" investigation into the proposed merger of global agriculture giants Monsanto and Bayer, amid concerns that it may create too high a concentration and disrupt competition in the areas of pesticides and seeds.
Ireland says EU demand that Apple pay it €13 billion in back taxes unjustified
Ireland's finance minister said the European Commission's demand that Dublin collect up to €13 billion in back taxes from Apple was unjustified, in an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) newspaper.
Football union wants EU to ban high transfer fees after Neymar deal
World football players' union FIFPro is lobbying the European Union to ban transfer fees, which it says concentrates power in the hands of a few mega-rich clubs, to the detriment of most players and to the sport itself.
Anti-monopolies economist: ‘Innovation breeds inequality’
Inequality is an inevitable side effect of innovation and many monopolies could be broken by simply eliminating patents, insists Italian economist Michele Boldrin. EURACTIV’s partner El País – Planeta Futuro reports.
Alphabet profit hit by EU fine on Google
Google parent Alphabet on Monday (24 July) saw shares slide as the market reacted to a massive fine by the European Commission and word that success in mobile, cloud and YouTube is coming with higher costs.
Greek court hands Heineken record fine for market abuse
A Greek court has imposed a €26.7m fine on Heineken subsidiary Athenian Brewery for abusing its dominant position in the Greek beer market over more than two decades.
Commission looks into three big mergers over alleged breach of rules
The Commission is looking into three separate merger cases involving Merck, General Electric and Canon, based on suspicions they flouted EU rules by withholding vital information or using intermediaries, Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said on Thursday (6 July).
Irish insurance companies raided by Commission officials
European Commission competition officials on Tuesday (4 July) raided the offices of a number of companies that provide motor insurance in the Republic of Ireland, as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
Top 5 antitrust fines handed out by EU
The European Commission on Tuesday (27 June) hit Google with the biggest fine ever against a company for abuse of a dominant market position.
Commission slaps record €2.4 bln anti-trust fine on Google
The European Commission fined Google a record-high €2.42 billion on Tuesday (27 June) for breaching EU antitrust rules by using its dominant market position to promote its own comparison shopping service at the expense of rivals.
Cake and taxes
The European Parliament has the opportunity on Monday (12 June) to vote for real public country-by-country tax reporting. Anything short of real transparency will allow large companies to keep hiding crucial information and avoiding their fair share of taxes, writes Elena Gaita.
Gazprom’s antitrust case needs a robust approach
The European Commission's numerous anti-trust cases over the years have had a significant impact on the functioning of the market affected by the practices in question. In Gazprom’s case, the outcome may be different – there is a danger that it will result in no effect at all.
EU, Gazprom buy time to settle gas antitrust case
Gazprom and the European Commission need further talks to assess the Russian gas giant's compliance with EU competition law, they said after a meeting yesterday (29 May) in Brussels.
Poland’s PGNiG urges tough stance in EU antitrust case against Gazprom
State-run Polish oil and gas company PGNiG urged the European Commission today (18 May) to take a tough stance in its antitrust investigation into Gazprom, saying the Russian company should have to pay a fine and sell assets.
Commission gives free hand to capitals to subsidise small airports
The European Commission announced today (17 May) a review of state aid rules that will allow member states to pour millions of euros of support into struggling regional airports without prior approval from Brussels.
Central and Eastern Europe trapped in low wage spiral
Low wages have been harming Central European economies since the crisis. According to a recent study, salaries fell to below 30% of the German average while productivity grew steadily. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.
EU flirts with protectionism amid foreign takeover concerns
Some EU member states’ attempts to push for EU legislation to protect "critical infrastructure" from unwanted third-country takeovers has raised concerns of growing protectionism and economic nationalism in the bloc.
Bulgaria sees risks in Commission’s ‘entente’ with Gazprom
Sofia will hold a conference call with the European Commission today (28 April) to make known its positions concerning a proposal to end a five-year antitrust case with Gazprom. The Bulgarian press has unveiled some of the country’s concerns.
Luxury brands’ attempt to ban online sales goes before EU court
Europe's top court will begin a landmark case today (30 March) that could determine whether luxury goods companies can stop retailers from selling their products via marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay.
EU regulators scupper stock market merger on Brexit day
EU antitrust regulators vetoed a proposed €29 billion merger of Deutsche Börse and the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday (29 March), just as the UK triggered divorce talks with the EU.
Italy to stretch EU rules again with new bank bailout
Italy's plans to bail out two regional banks pose a dilemma for European regulators, who are still considering whether Monte dei Paschi qualifies for state aid, three months after giving a preliminary green light.