Spain: CNMC to rotate Councillors, in move to thwart dissenters

Spain’s competition Superagency CNMC has approved a new process for rotating councillors among its Competition and Regulation committees. The move has been seen as a way to disrupt the tandem formed by councillors Fernando Torremocha and Benigno Valdés, who have consistently opposed some of the Competition commission’s signature decisions, including several cases of sanctions on cartels.

Along with the new rotation policy the CNMC awaits the renewal of several Council positions whose mandate has expired. Also in the wings is a proposal put forward by the ruling PP-Ciudadanos coalition to breakup the agency into independent agencies charged with Competition and Sector Regulation respectively.

The absence of a stable government for much of 2016 has left several councillors serving far beyond their mandates. Among these are councillors Diego Rodríguez, Eduardo García Matilla and María Ortíz. Three other council members will see their mandates expire in the following months, including Idola Zenarrutzabeitia, Josep María Guinart and Mr. Torremocha himself.

Full Content: El Economista

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