Competition
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.
Don’t let nationalism threaten economic cooperation on EEC’s 60th anniversary
25 March sees the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which established the European Economic Community (EEC) and set Europe on a path to closer unity. But the rise of populism strikes at the heart of this collaboration writes Michael Collins.
Deal in sight for Amazon in e-books case against EU
An imminent commitments decision in the Amazon e-books case would help both parties avoid an escalation which would be in neither of their interests, according to sector experts. EURACTIV’s partner PaRR reports.
LuxLeaks whistleblowers handed reduced sentences on appeal
A Luxembourg court yesterday (16 March) gave reduced sentences on appeal to two LuxLeaks whistleblowers convicted of leaking thousands of documents that revealed tax breaks for multinational firms.
Commission exploring how to protect EU steel market from China
It doesn’t look good for Beijing. Brussels and Washington still refuse to recognise China as a market economy and the Commission has proposed legislation that completely changes the rules for EU trade with third countries. EURACTIV Czech Republic partner Aktuálně.cz reports.
Fat rent excesses at McDonald’s should raise EU attention
The European Commission is currently investigating McDonald’s sweetheart tax deals with Luxembourg and other tax arrangements across Europe. It should now also look into how McDonald’s uses its real estate rents to abuse its franchisees and its consumers, writes Harald Wiedenhofer.
Commission fines car suppliers €155 million
Germany's Mahle Behr, France’s Valeo and four Japanese firms (Panasonic, Calsonic, Denso, Sanden) were accused on Wednesday (8 March) of taking part in one or more cartels
European airlines implore Commission to draft strong law against Gulf rivals
French and German flag carriers Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have urged the European Commission to counter what they say are unfair practices by Gulf airlines, in a bid to influence the drafting of a new EU law.
EU set to block stock market mega merger
London Stock Exchange (LSE) said its proposed merger with Deutsche Börse AG was unlikely to be approved by the European Commission, leaving the stock market operators' third attempt at combining on the brink of failure.