Großkanzleien über den neuen EU-Wettbewerbskommissar, Joaquín Almunia

myCorporateResource.com hat die Meinungen über Herrn Almunia zusammengetragen, mit denen verschiedene Kanzleien – in Alerts etc. – jüngst an die Öffentlichkeit getreten sind. Almunia wird die Generaldirektion Wettbewerb (DG COMP) der Europäischen Kommission voraussichtlich ab Februar 2010 führen (hierzu der Post vom 27. November 2009).

Sicher, die Meinungsbildung hat derzeit etwas von Kaffeesatzleserei, und es kommt, wie es kommt. Almunia ist bislang mit Meinungen zur Rolle des Kartellrechts in Europa nicht nennenswert in Erscheinung getreten und musste das auch nicht. Man sollte auch im Hinterkopf behalten, dass manche Kommentatoren sich nach der Benennung von Frau Kroes (2004) in die Idee verrannt hatten, Neelie Kroes sei allzu wirtschaftsnah und könne das EU-Kartellrecht daher nicht glaubhaft darstellen (hierzu der Post vom 4. Dezember 2009: “keine ‘pussy cat’”).

Interessant ist es dennoch, welcher Eindruck von Herrn Almunia offenbar vorherrscht; ich nehme Kartellblog. nicht aus. In der Auflistung bei MCR vertreten sind internationale wirtschaftsberatende Kanzleien mit Kartellrechtlern an Bord (die an dem Aggregator-Dienst von MCR teilnehmen):

From Cleary Gottlieb: “Mr. Almunia … is considered to be a thoughtful, careful, hard-working, and clear-minded regulator. He is close to Commission President Barroso, who was apparently keen for him to accept the position …. there are no indications that he intends to deviate to any material extent … He is a “believer in markets” who is not thought to have disagreed with any of the decisions proposed by Commissioner Kroes.”

From Dechert: “As the monetary commissioner, Almunia earned respect for scrutinizing the Member States’ public finances and their budgetary policies during the global financial crisis and for managing the expansion of the euro to additional Member States … Commissioner Almunia’s academic preparation, expertise and his previous experience in the economy post, seem to be a good blend to drive the Competition Commission in a reasonable, but also diplomatic way…. Almunia knows the Commission inside out.”

From McDermott Will & Emery: “Commission President José Manuel Barroso pointed out the determination and courage with which Almunia had addressed difficult issues with national governments. In general, Almunia is seen as Barroso’s choice of a close ally for a key position.”

Jones Day: “Commission’s officials who have worked closely with Mr. Almunia say he is a competent and reflective person, who “likes to get into the details of his dossiers” and carefully listens and evaluates pros and cons before making any important decision. Several persons inside the Commission have stated that, due to his solid economic and legal background, he will be able rapidly to familiarize himself with the competition portfolio and gain the confidence of the services that report to him.”

Crowell Moring: “The nomination follows requests by Spain ‘s president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero that Mr. Barroso gives the Spanish Commissioner Almunia a “key” economic portfolio. Mr. Barroso is said to owe Mr. Zapatero a favor for his support of Mr. Barroso’s re-election in the face of opposition by the European Socialist group.”

Skadden: “The appointment of a trusted, seasoned official with an extensive economics background, who also is close to Mr. Barroso and has already had significant exposure to the financial crisis, suggests that the crisis and its aftermath will continue to dominate the Commission’s agenda.”

Morgan Lewis: “Mr Almunia … earned widespread praise for his handling of the economic crisis and gained a solid reputation for independence and fiscal prudence…is a trained economist and lawyer, a background that should serve him well in his new role.”

PS 9. Dezember 2009 – Kommentar mit YouTube (ein Interview von ExecutiveTalks mit Almunia “about the economic situation in the European Union, the impact of the financial crisis, EU’s growth strategy, and long term challenges”) auf Watching Europe.