The European Commission is launching a decisive consultation on its future merger guidelines. Behind this still-draft text lies a profound shift in doctrine, with potentially very different consequences depending on the sector. Telecom, tech, media: each now has an interest in weighing in on this debate and closely monitoring the positions of its competitors. The European Commission has just opened a public consultation on a draft of new merger guidelines, with a deadline set for June 26, 2026. At this stage, nothing has been finalized yet: the Commission explains that this is a proposal intended to evolve. But the signal is clear. Brussels is launching the most significant reform of its merger control in twenty years, with a stated ambition: to adapt its doctrine to a more global, more technological, and more volatile economy. A conceptual shift: size is no longer a problem in itself At the heart of the change lies a conceptual shift. Whereas the analysis previously relied mainly on static effects (prices, market shares, dominant position), the Commission proposes to incorporate a much more dynamic view of competition. Size, long perceived as a risk, could in some cases become a positive factor if it helps increase innovation, investment, or resilience. Long-term effects, particularly regarding innovation, are set to carry greater…
