The Polish government is pushing to combine the country's
two biggest state controlled refiners, PKN Orlen and Lotos Group,
in a bid to create a Polish group capable of competing in
international markets and, possibly, capable of taking part in
Poland's plans to build the first nuclear power plant.
Both companies are amongst the top 10 on the Polish market
insofar as turnover is concerned, with PKN Orlen being the largest
company on the Polish market for years, whereas Lotos Group has
always been among the top 5-7 largest companies in Poland.
According to a letter of intent between PKN Orlen and the Polish
government signed in late February, PKN Orlen is to take over a 53%
controlling stake in the Lotos Group. The high turnover figures
involved trigger the Commission's jurisdiction. The President
of the Polish Competition Authority has already confirmed that,
even though the Polish NCA is ready to assess the deal, it will be
up to the Commission to decide whether to
