Category: Global Blogs

Bulgaria: EU defied on South Stream gas pipeline (Competition Policy International)

Despite concerns from the European Commission on the project, reports say Bulgaria has ruled that the South Stream gas pipeline is not in breach of competition law.

The gas line, spearheaded by Russia’s Gazprom, has garnered significant controversy. The line will reportedly bypass Ukraine and run across southern and central Europe. …read more

US: Congress wants Botox buyout review (Competition Policy International)

Seven US Democratic Senators are reportedly calling or regulators to review the proposed acquisition of Allergan, which makes Botox, by Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

According to reports, lawmakers want the $54 billion hostile takeover offer reviewed, citing former Valeant buyouts that lead to job cuts.

The company reportedly cut hundreds of jobs in …read more

Australia: ACCC, Telstra spar over price signaling laws (Competition Policy International)

Australian telecommunications operator Telstra is reportedly fighting current laws that curb price signaling, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is pushing back.

According to reports, ACCC head Rod Sims calls Telstra’s fight against the rules “extremely unfortunate.”

Telstra filed a submission to the Harper Review on competition policy, calling for an …read more

France: Officials want relaxed antitrust rules after Alstom buy (Competition Policy International)

France is calling for more lenient antitrust rules from the European Commission following the nation’s failed plans to create a new energy and transport conglomerate through a merger with Alstom.

Germany’s Siemens had battled with the US’s General Electric to merge with Alstom; Siemens, reports say, had sought to acquire Alstom’s …read more