Fincantieri STX-France
28.8.2017
Question for written answer E-005318-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Patrizia Toia (S&D) , Isabella De Monte (S&D) , Brando Benifei (S&D) , Renata Briano (S&D) , Nicola Caputo (S&D) , Caterina Chinnici (S&D) , Silvia Costa (S&D) , Nicola Danti (S&D) , Paolo De Castro (S&D) , Elena Gentile (S&D) , Michela Giuffrida (S&D) , Roberto Gualtieri (S&D) , Cécile Kashetu Kyenge (S&D) , Luigi Morgano (S&D) , Alessia Maria Mosca (S&D) , Pina Picierno (S&D) , Renato Soru (S&D) , Daniele Viotti (S&D) , Damiano Zoffoli (S&D) , Andrea Cozzolino (S&D) , Enrico Gasbarra (S&D)
The French Government decided on 28 July 2017 to exercise its pre-emptive right in respect of Stx France, blocking its acquisition by Fincantieri by means of a temporary measure that has all the appearances of nationalisation.
The decision is at odds with the outcome of the auction of a 66.66% stake in STX France, which was conducted in a competitive and transparent manner. The initiative also appears to violate the agreement reached in April between Fincantieri and STX France and the subsequent contract signed on 19 May.
The decision is especially serious as it has stalled a major European shipbuilding project, with clear economic repercussions.
However, by only taking the legal issues into consideration, can the Commission state:
- —Whether the French Government’s decision is in line with Community law, including as regards state aid;
- —Whether it does not consider the measures adopted to breach the principle of free competition in the single market and the free movement of capital, or at least view them as disproportionate to the objectives;
- —Whether there has been discrimination towards an Italian company and hence a breach of EC law?