State aid to banks
Einde inhoudsopgave
State aid to banks (IVOR nr. 109) 2018/6.7.4:6.7.4 Limitations of the relevant-characteristics approach
State aid to banks (IVOR nr. 109) 2018/6.7.4
6.7.4 Limitations of the relevant-characteristics approach
Documentgegevens:
mr. drs. R.E. van Lambalgen, datum 01-12-2017
- Datum
01-12-2017
- Auteur
mr. drs. R.E. van Lambalgen
- JCDI
JCDI:ADS588223:1
- Vakgebied(en)
Financieel recht / Europees financieel recht
Mededingingsrecht / EU-mededingingsrecht
Toon alle voetnoten
Voetnoten
Voetnoten
De Kok 2015, p. 234 (footnote 105); Murphey 2013, p. 285.
Een ‘klein mannetje’ met een grote missie. Eli Leenaars wacht hoge beloning als hij ING langs lastige Brusselse klippen laveert, FD 25 September 2012. Hollandse directheid van ING botst met diplomatieke aanpak Brussel, FD 24 September 2012. Tegen beter weten in, FD 6 October 2012.
Deze functie is alleen te gebruiken als je bent ingelogd.
The relevant-characteristics approach entails analysing the characteristics that are mentioned in the bank State aid decisions. However, it is not inconceivable that there are some additional circumstances that are relevant, but that are not explicitly mentioned in the decisions.
There may be other factors at play. For instance, it is sometimes suggested that Neelie Kroes (a Dutch national who was European Commissioner for Competition in the period 2004-2009) was particularly tough on the Dutch banks, in order to avoid creating the impression that she was favouring of Dutch banks.1
Lobbying of Member States at the Commission is also a relevant factor. In that regard, the personality of the negotiators may be relevant. This is illustrated by the negotiations that ING conducted with the Commission. The person who was initially leading the negotiations on behalf of ING was said to operate with Dutch bluntness.2 This direct communication-style worked counterproductively. In September 2012, he was replaced by someone else who was said to operate in a more diplomatic manner. This example underlines that the personality of the negotiators may be relevant.
Since the relevant-characteristics approach focusses on the relevant characteristics that are mentioned in the decisions, it does not take into account other potentially influencing factors. This is a limitation of the relevant-characteristics approach.