The EU Commissioner for Competition Vestager announces broader use of EUMR Article 22 to catch potential "killer acquisitions" and simplified filing procedure for most other mergers

A recent speech [1] by the European Commission's (the Commission) Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager (the Commissioner), on the 30th anniversary of the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR), praised it as having created "a better life for everyone", "saved customers billions of euros each year" and, in "a matter of life and death", ensured the continuation of promising new drugs. Importantly, this speech also provided a glimpse into the future of EU merger control. Based on her statements, here is what to expect in the months and years to come. Continuing vigorous merger control enforcement The Commissioner made it clear that the pandemic will not materially impact merger control. She insisted the current crisis provides no reason to abandon or even ease competition law enforcement.