Merger control and minority shareholdings: Time for a change ?: Some economics of minority shareholdings

Abstract : This set of Trends articles focus on the debate revived by the Aer Lingus / Ryanair case about treatment of minority interests in merger control. The main issue is to know if merger control should apply to the participations took by companies in shareholdings of their competitors without that such shareholdings to provide control in these companies. Would it be necessary to go beyond the notion of control as economic analysis hints that minority shareholding can be harmful? These articles discuss the Aer Lingus / Ryanair case, explores the economic stakes at issue and consider French, English, German and Dutch regimes.