EU merger vetoes prompt calls to change the rules
07 February 2019 00:00
Duration: 19:12
Two merger prohibitions by the European Commission this week have ushered in a political debate about whether competition rules need to change. The veto of the Siemens-Alstom rail merger in particular has drawn criticism from high-profile politicians who say there should be more latitude to create European champions. But not everyone agrees, and pushing through changes will be difficult. Brussels competition reporters Nicholas Hirst and Natalie McNelis talk to news editor Sam Wilkin about what changes could be on the horizon.
Related Articles
-
Siemens and Alstom’s frustrated plan to merge their railway businesses shows the steely independence of the European Commission’s competition regulators, who blocked the deal in the face of intense political pressure from France and Germany. -
A merger of Siemens' and Alstom’s railway businesses would have been a “bad deal for British passengers, freight companies and taxpayers,” the UK rail regulator has said following the EU block on the deal yesterday.
Editorial Team
Nicholas Hirst
Natalie McNelis
Nicholas Hirst Chief Correspondent
Natalie McNelis Senior Correspondent
