On Friday 19 June, the European Parliament took the view that competition policy and industrial policy can contribute jointly to building European sovereignty in a sustainable way.
The European Parliament adopted the 2019 report on competition policy prepared by Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew Europe, France) (by 521 votes for to 41 against, with 126 abstentions), and called on the Commission to assess whether the failing firm defence as currently applied is fit for purpose in the context of the coronavirus crisis.
The European Parliament asked to be better informed about the Commission's work with regard to revision of the definitions of relevant market and State aid guidelines. The Commission is meant to provide Parliament with a detailed assessment of the overall distribution of State aid authorised under the Temporary Framework for State aid (by Member State, by sector and by type of aid authorised). The European Parliament also called on the Commission to issue notification to Parliament and the Council of the EU after the crisis regarding the effects of the pandemic on competition in the market and the application of competition law, the integrity of the single market and the future of competition policy.
The European Parliament called on the Commission to assess in due course whether the temporary framework should be extended beyond 2020.
The European Parliament also demanded greater reciprocity with non-Member States in the areas of public procurement, state aid and direct investment. With regard to the digital sector, Parliament called for legislation on developmental platforms in order to prevent them from abusing their dominant position and restrict their control of personal and financial data.
The European Parliament believes that the challenge for industrial policy is to revise the rules on mergers in order to encourage the emergence of European leaders in strategic sectors. Lastly, State aid has to be consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal.
The Assembly adopted an amendment tabled by the GUE/NGL Group, and asked the Commission to check whether the tax exemption for kerosene distorts competition to the benefit of the aviation sector.
Finally, according to the European Parliament, the Commission needs to carry out detailed investigations and propose additional measures to combat the virtual monopoly enjoyed by the Big Four accounting firms, which audit the accounts of the largest listed companies. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)