On Tuesday 25 October, the European Commission published the results of two 2022 Eurobarometer surveys on EU competition policy, which show support among citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the way competition policy is applied.
The Executive Vice-President in charge of Competition Policy, Margrethe Vestager, said “the results of these surveys are clear: competition improves the daily lives of citizens and SMEs by providing better prices, greater choice and increased innovation. This support is consistent across the EU, and is a reminder that fair competition is more important than ever”.
Respondents to the survey confirmed that, in their view, competition policy: - encourages innovation (82% of citizens and 89% of SMEs); - allows for better prices (74% of citizens and 81% of SMEs) and more choice (83% of citizens and 84% of SMEs); - helps European companies become more competitive in global markets (72% of citizens and 73% of SMEs).
The vast majority of citizens and SMEs believe that competition plays a key role in preventing players in different market sectors from abusing their market power (87% of citizens and SMEs) and fighting cartels (84% of citizens and SMEs). Furthermore, 76% of citizens and 73% of SMEs believe preventing mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition is important. Finally, Europeans think it is important to withdraw the benefits from competitors subsidised by non-EU governments (70% of citizens and 74% of SMEs) and EU governments (69% of citizens and 73% of SMEs).
Link to the survey of SMEs: https://aeur.eu/f/3rv
Link to the survey of citizens: https://aeur.eu/f/3rw (Original version in English by Lionel Changeur)