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State Aid Law Implications in Merger Control

State Aid Law Implications in Merger Control. Alexandros Stratakis Van Bael & Bellis 2 June 2007. European Courts Case Law. ECJ’s Matra Judgment Antitrust and State Aid rules must be applied consistently (Matra doctrine) CFI’s RJB Mining Judgment

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State Aid Law Implications in Merger Control

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  1. State Aid Law Implications in Merger Control Alexandros Stratakis Van Bael & Bellis 2 June 2007

  2. European Courts Case Law ECJ’s Matra Judgment Antitrust and State Aid rules must be applied consistently (Matra doctrine) CFI’s RJB Mining Judgment Turning Matra doctrine “on its head” CFI’s BaByliss Judgment Limiting RJB Mining?

  3. Metronet/Infraco HDW/Ferrostaal/Hellenic Shipyard & ThyssenKrupp/HDW Deutsche Post /DHL(II) & Deutsche Post/Exel Iberdrola/Scottishpower Commission Practice post-RJB Mining

  4. Commission Practice (2) Different levels of scrutiny Sufficient Nexus or Causal Link? “Worst case” scenario approach “Will the State Aid increase the financial and commercial strength of the beneficiary to an extent that competition concerns will arise”?

  5. Commission Practice (3) Relevant circumstances under “worst case” scenario approach: • Market shares of the parties • Financial indicators of competitors in relation to indicators of the beneficiary of the alleged aid • Size and financial strength of competitors

  6. Do alleged State Aids have any impact on Merger Control? (1) - If not a State Aid? - If an incompatible State Aid? - If compatible State Aid which gives a financial advantage to a party?

  7. Do alleged State Aids have any impact on Merger Control? (2) Opening the floodgates: What if the financial advantage affects competition? How will that be accessed? Will the Commission prohibit the concentration on that basis only? Does any state measure affecting the parties deserve an analysis (tax, various other forms of regulation etc.)? Should other state measures having an effect on competitors or even countervailing measures by other states be investigated as well?

  8. Some important conceptual differences Procedures with different addressees Procedures with different priorities, different assessment criteria and different timing considerations Procedural problems in “private enforcement” of state aid rules

  9. Final remarks Examination of state measures complicates a procedure that should be fast and “to the point” Merger control is not designed to privately enforce State Aid rules State intervention should be taken into consideration (if necessary) in the analysis of the market in which the merging entities operate

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