Antitrust Alert: New German Government´s Roadmap Could Change Antitrust Rules For Large Firms In Germany

On 24 October 2009, the new German government published its roadmap for the next four years. As part of its plans, the government has announced its intention to introduce a power to break up companies ("Entflechtung") into German antitrust law. It is an understatement to say this has the potential to affect significant German businesses in the coming years.

The 2009 to 2013 government will be formed by a coalition following a general election on 27 September 2009. Frau Angela Merkel will continue to be Chancellor, although the parties forming the coalition have changed.

For the past three weeks, the party leaders have been negotiating a detailed plan ("Koalitionsvertrag") for all sectors of the new administration. The roadmap contains a number of initiatives that will affect how business is done in Germany.