On Tuesday 21 November, the MEPs meeting in the 'economic and monetary affairs' committee supported the report by Andreas Schwab (EPP, Germany) on the resources required by the national competition authorities to ensure the proper functioning of the single market, in an examination of amendments.
This report follows the European Commission's proposed directive of 22 March this year (see EUROPE 11751) aiming to make the actions of these authorities more effective. The proposal suggests several guarantees and measures to do this.
The Schwab report, which has been praised by the Commission, follows on from this proposal, but provides clarifications concerning matters such as the observation of fundamental rights in the procedure and the publication of regular reports on the authorities' activities.
During this exchange of views between MEPs, most of the political groups supported the text put forward by the German MEP and simply raised a few differences in interpretation.
The only notable point of disagreement concerns the question of the maximum fine a company may be required to pay in the event of breaking the EU competition rules. Whilst the Commission is proposing that this be not less than 10% of its global turnover, Schwab would like to set it at 10% of global turnover, with Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, Spain) calling for a minimum of 12%. Michel Reimon (Greens/EFA, Austria) considers that it should be at least 10% of global turnover.
Joachim Starbatty (ECR, Germany) argued that the text should not attempt to clarify this point, as he considers that no agreement is possible on it. However, he feels that the regulation should seek to define a clear scope of application, as the Commission and MEPs are agreed that the total amount of the fine should be calculated on the basis of global turnover.
Following a computer problem, the vote on the report and amendments by the committee was postponed and is therefore expected to take place on 27 February of next year. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)