Von der Leyen backs space mega-deal despite looming EU antitrust probe
Brussels officials typically refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has publicly supported a proposed €6.5 billion space venture between Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales, despite the ongoing EU antitrust probe into the deal. This rare intervention by a top EU official in an antitrust matter has raised concerns about the potential legal implications.
EU officials typically avoid commenting on ongoing antitrust proceedings, with the Commission facing previous criticism from the European Ombudsman in 2015 for making public statements on an ongoing investigation into a banking cartel. Von der Leyen's endorsement comes as the satellite-makers hold informal talks with the Commission's competition directorate regarding the merger, which could require divestments to secure approval.
Von der Leyen also advocates for an overhaul of the EU's merger guidelines, aiming to provide greater latitude for European champions to scale and compete globally.
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