Delay in the Kroes proposal on the possibility for parties damaged by cartels to claim compensation

23.10.2009

ORAL QUESTION H-0388/09
for Question Time at the part-session in November 2009
pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Derk Jan Eppink
to the Commission

At the meeting of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) on 29 September 2009, Commissioner Kroes spoke about her proposal to give parties that have been damaged by cartels greater legal scope to demand compensation. She said that the proposal was ‘of great importance’ and was close to her heart. The proposal was to be put to the College of Commissioners on 7 October.

 

The special meeting planned for Friday 2 October was, however, cancelled at the request of the President's cabinet. The proposal mysteriously went off the radar.

 

Why did this proposal disappear from the Commission agenda, when Commissioner Kroes had indicated to the ECON Committee that the College of Commissioners would reach a decision quickly?

 

According to the FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) of 20 October 2009, the chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs, who is also a partner in a German law firm that deals with cartel cases, has put pressure on the Commission to delay its decision. Is this true?

 

What does the Commission think of the possibility reported in the FAZ article that the chair of the Legal Affairs Committee may have a conflict of interests?

 

When can we expect the proposal?

 

 

Tabled: 23.10.2009

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