French Competition Enforcement In The New EU Paradigm

Like in the United States, competition enforcement in Europe is in flux. The European Commission has appointed new leadership (Teresa Ribera) and set new policy directives. While one could not be blamed for focusing all attention on Brussels and Washington, DC, the Member States' national competition authorities continue to play major roles in enforcing the law and in setting policy.

Among those key authorities is France's Autorité de la concurrence (French Competition Authority or FCA), led by President Benoît CSuré. In recent statements and interviews, CSuré has signaled his alignment with the goals of DG Comp and the Draghi Report. For example, he endorsed leveraging an "economic progress" provision in French merger law to make way for European "champions."