Competition policy: annual report 2024

This resolution reviews the European Union's competition policy in 2024, emphasizing its role in fostering a fair, innovative, and competitive economy. It highlights how strong competition rules benefit consumers with lower prices and better quality, while supporting businesses by ensuring a level playing field.

The report affects businesses of all sizes, particularly large corporations and digital platforms, by setting rules on mergers, state aid, and market dominance. It also impacts consumers by aiming for better prices and choices, and Member States through guidelines on state aid and industrial policy.

Key changes include a focus on new forms of anti-competitive behavior like algorithmic collusion and a call for stronger enforcement against market dominance, especially in digital markets. The report also stresses the need to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies and integrate sustainability into competition policy.

The resolution calls for enhanced cooperation between national competition authorities and the Commission, and for Parliament to have a greater say in shaping competition policy. It also notes the significant investment needed to maintain EU competitiveness and address innovation gaps.