View source for European Commissioner for Competition

{{Short description|Member of the EU Commission}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                     = European Commissioner<br />for Competition
| body                     = 
| native_name              = 
| insignia                 = 
| insigniasize             = 
| insigniacaption          = 
| flag                     = Flag of the European Union.svg
| flagsize                 = 
| flagborder               = 
| flagcaption              = Flag of the EU
| image                    = Ribera EC Portrait 2024.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| alt                      = 
| incumbent                = [[Teresa Ribera]]
| acting                     =
| incumbentsince           = 1 December 2024
| department               = 
| style                    = 
| status                   = 
| abbreviation             = 
| member_of                = the [[European Commission]]
| reports_to               = [[President of the European Commission]]
| residence                = 
| seat                     = 
| nominator                = 
| appointer                = 
| appointer_qualified      = 
| termlength               = 5 years
| termlength_qualified     = 
| constituting_instrument  = 
| precursor                = 
| formation                = {{Start date and years ago|1958|01|07|df=y}}
| first                    = [[Hans von der Groeben]]
| abolished                = 
| succession               = 
| unofficial_names         = 
| deputy                   = 
| salary                   = 
| website                  = 
}}
{{Politics of the European Union}}

The '''Commissioner for Competition''' is the member of the [[European Commission]] responsible for [[Competition (economics)|competition]]. The current commissioner is [[Teresa Ribera]] ([[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]]).

==Responsibilities==
The portfolio has responsibility for such matters as [[Competition regulator|commercial competition]], [[Mergers and acquisitions|company mergers]], [[cartel]]s, [[state aid]], and [[antitrust]] law. The position became the sole merger authority for the [[European Economic Area]] in September 1990.

The Competition Commissioner is one of the most powerful positions in the commission, and indeed the world, and is notable in affecting global regulatory practices in a phenomenon known as the [[Brussels effect]].<ref>{{cite web|last =Lungescu|first=Oana|work=BBC News |title =Examining the EU executive|date=23 July 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/letter_from_america/3921303.stm|access-date = 18 September 2007}}</ref> For example, preventing the merger of two US companies, [[General Electric]] and [[Honeywell]], in 2001.<ref name="europa.eu">[http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/939 The Commission prohibits GE's acquisition of Honeywell] Europa (web portal)</ref> In 2007, Neelie Kroes (then-Competition Commissioner) was the only Commissioner to make [[Forbes Magazine's List of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women]]; she held position 59.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/11/biz-07women_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank_3.html 100 Most Powerful Women] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404025247/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/11/biz-07women_The-100-Most-Powerful-Women_Rank_3.html |date=4 April 2008 }} Forbes</ref>

== Past commissioners ==
{{expand section|date=August 2017}}

=== Mario Monti (1999–2004) ===
[[Mario Monti]] is particularly notable for his ruling during the [[Honeywell#GE-Honeywell merger attempt|GE-Honeywell merger attempt]] in 2001. [[General Electric]], a US company, sought to acquire another US company, [[Honeywell]]. This merger had been approved by US authorities, however Monti, with the backing of the rest of the commission, rejected the merger;<ref name="europa.eu"/>

{{cquote|The merger between GE and Honeywell, as it was notified, would have severely reduced competition in the aerospace industry and resulted ultimately in higher prices for customers, particularly airlines. However, there were ways of eliminating these concerns and allowing the merger to proceed. I regret that the companies were not able to agree on a solution that would have met the Commission's competition concerns.}}

Rather than be blocked from the European market, the merger was abandoned. This was the first time that a merger between two US companies had been blocked solely by European authorities,<ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2001/07/03/europe/ge_eu/ Honeywell CEO's job reported on line after takeover is rejected] CNN</ref> only the second time it had blocked just two US companies and only the 15th merger it had blocked ever since it started work.<ref name="europa.eu"/> On 1 May 2004 Monti oversaw a radical change in the Competition powers of the Commission concerning antitrust regulation, merger controls, licensing agreements and air transport.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/publications/special/interview_monti.pdf The EU gets new competition powers for the 21st century] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228033025/http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/publications/special/interview_monti.pdf |date=28 February 2008 }} European Commission</ref>

=== Neelie Kroes (2004–10) ===
During [[Neelie Kroes]]' hearing at the [[European Parliament]], [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]]s expressed concern about whether Ms Kroes had a sufficiently detailed grasp of certain specific subjects, but was approved as part of the Commission in 2004.

Since then she states that she promotes a fair and free business environment, achieving sustainable economic growth and higher employment. The commission has been involved in a number of high-profile cases fighting anticompetitive behaviour; such as the case against the merger of [[Sony Music|Sony]] – [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]], against [[Apple Inc.]] regarding [[iTunes]]<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,475398,00.html Brussels Accuses iTunes of Violating Competition Rules] ''Der Spiegel''</ref> and the ongoing [[European Union v. Microsoft|case against Microsoft]].

The latter has been an ongoing dispute on a number of issues, in April 2007 Microsoft became the first company to refuse to comply with the Commissions rulings, in response Commissioner Kroes is looking at more harsher methods to gain the co-operation of companies; "We have never, ever before encountered a company that has refused to comply with commission decisions ... We learned we may have to look for a more effective remedy."<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003675344_microsofteu21.html?syndication=rss Microsoft dispute a lesson, EU says] ''The Seattle Times''.nwsource.com</ref> In September 2007, the [[Court of First Instance]] (EU's second highest court) upheld the commission's decision to fine Microsoft 497&nbsp;million euro and its order for to Microsoft for it to share its information setting what the Commission described as an "important precedent". Kroes stated that "Today's court ruling…shows that the Commission was right to take its decision, and right to take firm action to enforce that decision". Either party may appeal to the [[European Court of Justice]].<ref>[http://euobserver.com/9/24771 Microsoft case sets precedent, says Brussels] EU observer</ref> In response to the ruling the US Justice Departments top antitrust official, Thomas Barnett, criticised the ruling which sparked a response from Kroes stating that "It is totally unacceptable that a representative of the US administration criticises an independent court of law outside its jurisdiction ... It is absolutely not on. The European Commission does not pass judgement on rulings by US courts and we expect the same degree of respect from US authorities for rulings by EU courts."<ref>Spongenberg, Helena (20 September 2007) [http://euobserver.com/9/24803 US remarks on Microsoft ruling 'unacceptable', says Kroes], EU Observer</ref>

Kroes holds a strong belief in free market principles and was tough with offenders. By the time her term as Competition Commissioner ended, she had completed most major cases.<ref name="FT Who">[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c980127c-d841-11de-8b04-00144feabdc0.html Who’s who in the new Commission], Financial Times November 2009</ref>

=== Joaquín Almunia (2010–14) ===
[[Joaquín Almunia]], previously the [[European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs|Finance Commissioner]], took on the competition portfolio under the second [[Barroso Commission]] in 2010 and was expected to have a tenure similar to Kroes' stringent run.<ref name="FT Who"/> His appointment was welcomed by competition lawyers as someone well qualified and experienced.<ref name="FT Who"/> He also impressed Parliament at his hearing and early on in his work had to deal with whether or not to pursue action against Google.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bfa5fb66-2177-11df-830e-00144feab49a.html Accusations will test new commissioner], ''Financial Times''</ref> He also come out in favour of the idea of a [[Eurozone|European Monetary Fund]] to deal with defaulting member states.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-15/eu-s-almunia-says-emf-would-be-a-long-term-solution-update1-.html EU’s Almunia Says EMF Would Be a Long-Term Solution (Update1)]{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Business Week</ref>

=== Margrethe Vestager (2014–2024) ===
[[Margrethe Vestager]] was the European Commissioner responsible for Competition matters during the 2014–2024 period. She was part of both the Juncker and Von Der Leyen I college of Commissioners.<ref>Margrethe Vestager is the European Commissioner in the Von der Leyen Commission, currently serving as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age since December 2019 and European Commissioner for Competition since 2014. Vestager is a member of the Danish Social Liberal Party, and of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) on the European level.</ref> 

Her two terms at the European Commission were marked by strong enforcement across the full spectrum of competition policy. The cases brought against the abuse of dominance by large digital companies,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/09/10/apple-and-google-double-victory-for-margrethe-vestager-eu-court-of-justice-upholds-judgements-for-more-than-15-billion/ | title=Double victory for Margrethe Vestager: EU Court of Justice upholds Apple and Google's judgements for more than 15 billion | date=10 September 2024 }}</ref> as well as the Apple Tax case,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-loses-fight-against-13-billion-euro-eu-tax-order-ireland-2024-09-10/ | title=EU's Vestager triumphs in crackdown on Apple's tax deal, Google's practices | work=Reuters | date=10 September 2024 | last1=Chee | first1=Foo Yun | last2=Chee | first2=Foo Yun }}</ref> are among the most notable. To date, she did not lose a single case concerning abuses of dominance before the European Court of Justice.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5130185 | ssrn=5130185 | title=Mapping Reversals: An Empirical Account of Margrethe Vestager's Track Record Before the Court of Justice of the European Union | date=9 February 2025 | last1=Thibault | first1=Schrepel | last2=Janneke | first2=Parrish }}</ref>

Her leadership obtained much praise,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://informaconnect.com/digital-era-report-bolsters-commissioner-vestagers-digital-legacy/ | title="Digital Era" Report Bolsters Commissioner Vestager's Digital Legacy }}</ref> as well as criticism.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/eu-antitrust-policy-under-fire-after-siemens-alstom-deal-blocked-idUSKCN1PV12M/ | title=EU antitrust policy under fire after Siemens-Alstom deal blocked | work=Reuters | date=6 February 2019 | last1=Chee | first1=Foo Yun | last2=Revill | first2=John }}</ref> Her enforcement record is mixed, with big wins and major losses before EU courts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5130185 | ssrn=5130185 | title=Mapping Reversals: An Empirical Account of Margrethe Vestager's Track Record Before the Court of Justice of the European Union | date=9 February 2025 | last1=Thibault | first1=Schrepel | last2=Janneke | first2=Parrish }}</ref>

=== Teresa Ribera (since 2024) ===
On 1 December 2024, Teresa Ribera was appointed First Executive [[Vice-President of the European Commission]] for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and European Commissioner for Competition under the [[Von der Leyen Commission II|second Von der Leyen Commission]].

==List of commissioners==
{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Picture
| officeholder_title = Commissioner for Competition
| showtermlenght     = y
| party_col          = 1
| showotherparty     = y
| otherparty_title   = European
| showelection       = n
| showcabinet        = y
| cabinet_title      = Commission
| showcoalition      = n
| showaltofficeholder    = y
| alt_officeholder_title = Country
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 1
| image             = HansvonderGroben1965.jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Hans von der Groeben]]
| officeholder_sort = Groeben, Hans
| born_year         = 1907
| died_year         = 2005
| term_start        = 7 January 1958
| term_end          = 2 July 1967
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1958|01|07|1967|07|02}}
| alt_party         = Independent (politician)
| otherparty        = Independent (politician)
| cabinet           = [[Hallstein Commission|Hallstein I–II]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|West Germany}}
| alt_officeholder_sort = Germany, West
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 2
| image             = Maan Sassen 1968 (1).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Maan Sassen]]
| officeholder_sort = Sassen, Maan 
| born_year         = 1911
| died_year         = 1995
| term_start        = 30 June 1967
| term_end          = 30 June 1970
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1967|06|30|1970|06|30}}
| alt_party         = Catholic People's Party
| otherparty        = Independent (politician)
| cabinet           = [[Rey Commission|Rey]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Netherlands}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 3
| image             = Borschette 1970 (cropped).png |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Albert Borschette]]
| officeholder_sort = Borschette, Albert 
| born_year         = 1920
| died_year         = 1976
| term_start        = 1 July 1970
| term_end          = 20 July 1976
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1970|07|01|1976|07|20}}
| alt_party         = Independent (politician)
| otherparty        = Independent (politician)
| cabinet           = [[Malfatti Commission|Malfatti]]
| cabinet2          = [[Mansholt Commission|Mansholt]]
| cabinet3          = [[Ortoli Commission|Ortoli]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Luxembourg}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 4
| image             = Raymond Vouel 1977 (cropped).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Raymond Vouel]]
| officeholder_sort = Vouel, Raymond 
| born_year         = 1923
| died_year         = 1987
| term_start        = 21 July 1976
| term_end          = 6 January 1981
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1976|07|20|1981|01|06}}
| alt_party         = Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
| otherparty        = Party of European Socialists
| cabinet           = [[Ortoli Commission|Ortoli]]
| cabinet2          = [[Jenkins Commission (EU)|Jenkins]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Luxembourg}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 5
| image             = Frans Andriessen 1979 (1).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Frans Andriessen]]
| officeholder_sort = Andriessen, Frans 
| born_year         = 1929
| died_year         = 2019
| term_start        = 6 January 1981
| term_end          = 5 January 1985
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1981|01|06|1985|01|05}}
| alt_party         = Catholic People's Party
| otherparty        = European People's Party
| cabinet           = [[Thorn Commission|Thorn]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Netherlands}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 6
| image             = Peter Sutherland (1985).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Peter Sutherland]]
| officeholder_sort = Sutherland, Peter
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 2018
| term_start        = 7 January 1985
| term_end          = 5 January 1989
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1985|01|05|1989|01|05}}
| alt_party         = Fine Gael
| otherparty        = European People's Party
| cabinet           = [[Delors Commission#First college|Delors I]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Ireland}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 7
| image             = Leon Brittan (1996) 02.jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Leon Brittan]]
| officeholder_sort = Brittan, Leon 
| born_year         = 1939
| died_year         = 2015
| term_start        = 6 January 1989
| term_end          = 5 January 1993
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1989|01|06|1993|01|05}}
| alt_party         = Conservative Party (UK)
| otherparty        = European Democrats
| cabinet           = [[Delors Commission#Second college|Delors II]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 8
| image             = Karel van Miert (SP, België), Bestanddeelnr 933-5684 (cropped).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Karel Van Miert]]
| officeholder_sort = Miert, Karel 
| born_year         = 1942
| died_year         = 2009
| term_start        = 6 January 1993
| term_end          = 13 September 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1993|01|06|1999|09|13}}
| alt_party         = Socialist Party Differently
| otherparty        = Party of European Socialists
| cabinet           = [[Delors Commission#Third college|Delors III]]
| cabinet2          = [[Santer Commission|Santer]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Belgium}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 9
| image             = Mario_Monti_2002_(cropped).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Mario Monti]]
| officeholder_sort = Monti, Mario 
| born_year         = 1943
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 15 September 1999
| term_end          = 30 October 2004
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1999|09|15|2004|10|30}}
| alt_party         = Independent (politician)
| otherparty        = Independent (politician)
| cabinet           = [[Prodi Commission|Prodi]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Italy}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 10
| image             = Neelie Kroes (2018).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Neelie Kroes]]
| officeholder_sort = Kroes, Neelie 
| born_year         = 1941
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 22 November 2004
| term_end          = 9 February 2010
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2004|11|22|2010|02|09}}
| alt_party         = People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
| otherparty        = European Liberal Democrats and Reformists
| cabinet           = [[Barroso Commission|Barroso I]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Netherlands}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 11
| image             = Joaquin Almunia Mercosul.jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Joaquín Almunia]]
| officeholder_sort = Almunia, Joaquín 
| born_year         = 1948
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 February 2010
| term_end          = 1 November 2014
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2010|02|09|2014|11|01}}
| alt_party         = Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
| otherparty        = Party of European Socialists
| cabinet           = [[Barroso Commission|Barroso II]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Spain}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 12
| image             = Vestager 520 2012-04-16.jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Margrethe Vestager]]
| officeholder_sort = Vestager, Margrethe 
| born_year         = 1968
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 November 2014
| term_end          = 30 November 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2014|11|01|2024|11|30}}
| alt_party         = Danish Social Liberal Party
| otherparty        = Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
| cabinet           = [[Juncker Commission|Juncker]]
| cabinet2          = [[Von der Leyen Commission I|Von der Leyen I]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Denmark}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 12
| image             = Ribera_EC_Portrait_2024_(cropped).jpg |bSize = 75
| officeholder      = [[Teresa Ribera]]
| officeholder_sort = Ribera, Teresa 
| born_year         = 1969
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 30 November 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2024|11|30}}
| alt_party         = Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
| otherparty        = Party of European Socialists
| cabinet           = [[Von der Leyen Commission II|Von der Leyen II]]
| alt_officeholder      = {{flag|Spain}}
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}

==See also==
* [[Directorate-General for Competition (European Commission)|Directorate-General for Competition]]
* [[European Union competition law]]
* [[European Union v. Microsoft]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://ec.europa.eu/about/juncker-commission/structure/index_en.htm Juncker Commission's website]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html EU Competition website]
* [http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m2220_en.pdf Case No. M.2220, General Electric/Honeywell]

{{CommissionPortfolios}}

[[Category:Portfolios in the European Commission|Competition]]
[[Category:European commissioners for competition| ]]
[[Category:European Union law|Commissioner Competition]]
[[Category:European Union competition law]]