Chairman of the Monopolies Commission resigns from his duties

Press Release, Bonn, 17 March 2016

The Chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Professor Dr. Daniel Zimmer, has resigned from his duties today by declaration to the Federal President. He justifies his decision by the ministerial authorization of the merger between Edeka and Kaiser’s Tengelmann.

The Monopolies Commission regrets sincerely Professor Zimmer’s decision. This decision marks a loss because Professor Zimmer advocated firmly for promoting competition principles in his role as Chairman. The Monopolies Commission is deeply grateful for his commitment. Professor Zimmer was a member of the Monopolies Commission for almost eight years. His Chairmanship started on 1st July 2012. During his membership, the Monopolies Commission submitted three Main Reports and 21 Special Reports. His Chairmanship was marked by the Monopolies Commission opinion concerning competition on financial markets in the 20th Main Report, and by the 68th Special Report on competition on digital markets. Professor Zimmer was also very much involved in preparing the Special Report which was part of the proceedings for ministerial authorization of the merger of Edeka and Kaiser’s Tengelmann.

Post 2015: Immediate reform of the legal and regulatory framework – Now!

Special Report pursuant to Sec. 44 of the Postal Law, Bonn, 7 December 2015

  • The Monopolies Commission finds stagnating competition in the postal sector – the dominant position of the Deutsche Post AG remains unchanged.
  • The Monopolies Commission calls for an immediate reform of the legal and regulatory framework and a full application of the existing regulatory framework.

Telecommunications 2015: Markets in Transition

Special Report pursuant to Sec. 121(2) of the German Telecommunications Act, Bonn, 7 December 2015

  • The dynamic development of competition on the retail markets of telecommunications continues. The regulation of the vast majority of intermediate consumption remains indispensable.
  • Vectoring in the vicinity of the main distribution frames will accelerate the expansion of high-performance broadband networks. A technological monopoly of a single provider should be prevented.
  • Competitive pressure from innovative Over-The-Top services such as Skype or WhatsApp to be considered in regulatory decision making.