28/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Commission will announce its decision on the proposed merger between Spanish motorway operator Abertis and the Italian company Autostrade, the competition spokesman told press on Friday. The proposed merger, which was notified to the Commission on 23 August, has been blocked by the Italian government, which, believing it to be incompatible with motorway concession and privatisation law, vetoed it on 4 August. As part of its investigation into this transaction, the Commission will ascertain whether the Italian government is trying to protect legitimate public interest or whether its actions run counter to the freedom of movement of capital and the freedom of establishment.