Pérez-Llorca, ICADE and AEDC: Competition Law Enforcement
Pérez-Llorca and the Faculty of Law of Comillas Pontifical University (Comillas ICADE) together with the Spanish Association for the Defence of Competition (AEDC) held a new session of the Pérez-Llorca/ICADE Chair in Economics and Competition Law, which analysed the challenges of public enforcement of the Law on the Defence of Competition and its evolution in Spain.
The event brought together former presidents of Spain’s competition authority from the past three decades, alongside Cani Fernández, current President of the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC). The discussion, moderated by Marcos Araújo, President of AEDC, followed a chronological review of their tenures, highlighting key milestones and regulatory challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Amadeo Petitbò emphasized the importance of economic analysis in competition law, arguing that firms in a dominant position should not be penalized if they act competitively.
- Gonzalo Solana discussed the increasing role of governments in competition policy and advocated for improved compliance programs.
- Luis Berenguer Fuster addressed competition in the audiovisual sector, suggesting a revision of Article 10.4 of the Competition Law.
- Joaquín García Bernaldo de Quirós warned against excessive regulation and stressed the importance of the CNMC’s independence.
- José María Marín Quemada highlighted the Settlement mechanism, an alternative process where companies admit cartel involvement to expedite case resolution.
- Cani Fernández pointed to emerging competition challenges in pharmaceuticals and digital markets, the role of European regulators in Digital Markets and Services Acts (DMA & DSA), and the CNMC’s limitations in consumer protection matters.
Juan Jiménez-Laiglesia, Partner at Pérez-Llorca, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of adapting competition regulations to economic and technological changes. The event underscored the evolving landscape of competition law enforcement in Spain and the need for regulatory flexibility.
