// Merger Control in the real world
Merger Control in the Real World
Rebalance Now, The New Competition School, Open Markets Institute Europe and Member of the European Parliament Rasmus
Andresen are jointly organising a cross-party event at the European Parliament to discuss the
ongoing revision of the EU Merger Guidelines.
Date: 29 September 2026
Time: 16:30–18:30 CET
Location: European Parliament, A5E1, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels
The revision of the EU Merger Guidelines offers an important opportunity to reconsider how
merger control responds to the realities of today’s economy. Markets are increasingly defined by
high levels of concentration, powerful incumbent firms, digital business models, financial investors,
and complex corporate structures. Against this backdrop, the review raises fundamental questions
about how merger control should identify and address risks to effective competition, innovation,
market access and economic resilience.
The event will bring together leading academic experts, representatives of the European
Commission, Members of the European Parliament and civil society to discuss how the Merger
Guidelines can equip EU competition policy to better reflect these realities.
1. Panel discussion: Anti Chicago School Approach to Merger Control
Speakers:
- Kati Cseres (Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance),
- Daniele Calisti (Head of Unit Head for Merger policy and case support, DG Competition)
- Annika Stöhr (Technical University Ilmenau)
Moderator:
- James Kanter, EU Scream
Panel description:
The first panel will explore how economic thinking on mergers has evolved and what this means for
the revision of the Merger Guidelines. It will discuss whether and how the Guidelines should move
beyond the limitations of the current economic framework. Specifically the economics of Industrial
Organization that are relied upon in merger analysis follows closely the assumptions and approach
of the laissez-faire Chicago school of economics. This approach needs a reality check through
business data and financial analysis. The use of economic analysis aligned with Chicago School of
economics also requires close monitoring for conflict of interest concerns in view of the regulators‘
track record of relying on conflicted experts.
2. Academic roundtable: Strengthening the analytical and enforcement toolkit
Speakers:
- Ioannis Lianos (University College London)
- Viktoria Robertson (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
- Filippo Lancieri (Georgetown University, Washington DC)
Moderator:
- Justine Haekens, KU Leuven
Academic roundtable description:
The second session will take the form of an academic roundtable focusing on analytical and
enforcement tools that may be missing or underdeveloped in current merger control practice.
Particular attention will be given to the role of financial and business analysis, as well as to how
competition authorities can better assess complex transactions and emerging forms of market
power.
For registration, please contact Max Bank, EU Competition Lead Rebalance Now: max.bank (ett) rebalance-now.de
