The European Commission has approved, under State aid rules, the prolongation and amendments of a Spanish and Portuguese measure aimed at reducing the wholesale electricity prices in the Iberian market (‘MIBEL’) by lowering the input costs of fossil fuel-fired power stations. The amended measure, which will be in place until 31 December 2023, was approved […]
Josep Borrell arrives in Colombia to strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean
As part of the EU’s priority to strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit to be held in Brussels in July this year, EU High Representative and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell will visit Colombia from April 25-30. On April 25, HRVP Borrell will represent the European […]
European Commission takes steps to cut red tape in merger cases
The European Commission has adopted a number of measures to further simplify its merger review procedures under the EU Merger Regulation. The package of measures includes: (i) a revised version of the Merger Implementing Regulation (“Implementing Regulation”), (ii) a Notice on simplified procedure (“Procedural Notice”), and (iii) a Notice on the transmission of documents (“Notice […]
Commission takes action to promote work-life balance in Spain and other EU countries
To safeguard the right to work-life balance across Member States, the European Commission decided to continue infringement procedures against Belgium Czechia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Austria, and Slovenia by sending them a reasoned opinion for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rules establishing rights on work-life balance for parents and […]
The European Commission adopted a proposal to adjust and further strengthen the current crisis management framework for banks
On 18 April, the European Commission adopted a proposal to adapt and further strengthen the existing EU system of bank crisis management and deposit insurance, with a special focus on small and medium-sized banks. The EU banking sector, which has a strong crisis management system, has become more resilient in recent years. EU financial institutions […]
European Commission launches “Save the bees and farmers!” initiative
The Commission is responding to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment”. The Commission welcomes the initiative and acknowledges the importance of the ECI, in particular as the interlinked crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss constitute growing challenges for Europe’s agriculture and food […]
The European Commission will investigate the proposed creation of a company by Orange and MásMóvil
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation under the EU Merger Regulation to assess the proposed creation of a joint venture between Orange and Más Móvil. The Commission has concerns that this venture could reduce competition in the retail marketing of mobile and fixed broadband services and in the offer of multiple service packages […]
The European Commission proposes rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States in the face of increasing cross-border crime
Increasing cross-border crime has led to more and more cases where several Member States have jurisdiction to prosecute the same case. Parallel or multiple prosecutions can be inefficient and ineffective, but also possibly detrimental to the rights of the individuals concerned as a person may not be prosecuted or punished for the same offence twice. […]
Commission paves the way to improve the movement of mobile machinery on public roads across the EU
On 30 March, the Commission proposed a regulation to facilitate the use of non-road mobile machinery such as cranes, harvesters, forklift trucks and snow ploughs. These rules will eventually replace the various regulatory regimes that currently exist in the Member States. As the new rules will harmonise the technical requirements for the type-approval of off-road […]