Podcast appearances and mentions of nicholas hirst

With several antitrust battles between the European Commission and Big Tech likely to come to a head in 2023, the next 12 months are likely to tell us something about the legacy of the bloc's antitrust chief. In this special podcast to mark the start of 2023, Nicholas Hirst ponders the challenges facing Vestager, as she nears the end of what's expected to be her final term as the EU's competition commissioner.

All eyes were on top US competition regulators Lina Khan and Jonathan Kanter at a recent conference in Berlin, with European officials keen to know how the relatively new heads of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice's antitrust division would manage what appears to be a remarkable overhaul in the US's regulatory landscape. MLex's Nicholas Hirst was at this year's ICN conference and was able to cover the comments by the heavy hitters of global antitrust. Also on this week's podcast: How the FTC and DOJ's revamp of antitrust reviews is likely to unfold in Washington, amid a growing consensus that past practices have been too lax.

MLex brings you a very special edition of the Market Insights podcast. Lewis Crofts speaks to Khushita Vasant and Nicholas Hirst about the 2022 ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting. They discuss their thoughts on this year's meeting including the key take-aways and themes.

On July 11 MLex hosted a discussion between the EU’s outgoing chief economist for competition, Tommaso Valletti, and Cristina Caffarra, Charles Rivers Associates’ head of European competition. Valletti advocated for bolder competition enforcement, celebrated European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, and recounted memorable moments from his three years in post. The discussion was moderated by MLex journalist Nicholas Hirst.

Two merger prohibitions by the European Commission this week have ushered in a political debate about whether competition rules need to change. The veto of the Siemens-Alstom rail merger in particular has drawn criticism from high-profile politicians who say there should be more latitude to create European champions. But not everyone agrees, and pushing through changes will be difficult. Brussels competition reporters Nicholas Hirst and Natalie McNelis talk to news editor Sam Wilkin about what changes could be on the horizon.

The planned merger between European rail titans Siemens and Alstom is having a tough time at the hands of EU merger-control authorities, which could block the deal if they decide it will have a harmful effect on competition. The companies and political backers say they need to create a “European champion” to see off competition from China, but will this be enough to outweigh the domestic competition concerns? Brussels competition reporters Nicholas Hirst and Natalie McNelis talk to news editor Sam Wilkin.

The European Commission’s new probe into five big German carmakers — BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche — breaks the mold of typical antitrust investigations. Rather than straightforward price-fixing or market-sharing, the EU regulator is asking whether the companies agreed to hold back on technological developments regarding car emissions. Brussels news editor Sam Wilkin talks to reporters Matthew Newman and Nicholas Hirst about what’s sure to be a controversial case.

EU competition enforcers have caused controversy by using state aid rules to challenge tax breaks given by certain EU governments to multinational companies. Subsequent court cases have seen heated arguments between lawyers for the European Commission and the companies involved — often supported by national governments. Competition reporters Matthew Newman and Nicholas Hirst explain what’s going on to Brussels news editor Sam Wilkin.

Host Ryan Heath speaks to Ángel Gurría, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), who explains why it will take more than austerity to get the world economy growing faster — and why his organization has to get more political to be useful in an era of populist complaints. POLITICO competition and tech reporter Nicholas Hirst breaks down the debate around the European Commission's decision to fine Google €2.42 billion and demand the search giant change its business practices. EU Confidential's Brussels brains trust of Lina Aburous and Ailbhe Finn discuss the choice of CEZ, a Czech power company, to ask female intern applicants to enter a bikini contest. And in our Dear POLITICO section, we talk about the case of a staffer at the European Parliament who says they are mistaken for a server at official receptions because they are not caucasian.