EU’s new competition chief signals reform of anti-trust and state aid rules

Teresa Ribera says changes are needed to make it easier for innovative firms to merge and spur the green transition

The EU’s new competition chief has signalled a shake-up of anti-trust rules to make it easier for innovative companies to merge, as well as a relaxation of state aid policy to spur the green transition.

In her first major speech since taking office last week, Teresa Ribera said EU merger and anti-trust rules needed to “take full account of innovation and future competition”, signalling a move towards the reform agenda laid out by the former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi in a widely feted report.