"A lot of the American press at the time was saying 'just watch what happens when Bertelsmann tries to buy EMI, that will be a moment of truth that will show the Commission's true colors.' Well, that deal never happened either"
- Mario Monti
About this Quote
Mario Monti's quote is referring to the European Commission's stance on mergers and acquisitions. The American press was speculating that the Commission's true colors would be revealed when Bertelsmann attempted to purchase EMI. Nevertheless, the offer never happened, so the Commission's real colors were never exposed. This quote suggests that the Commission was not ready to approve the deal, as it never ever occurred. This could be due to the Commission's desire to protect competitors in the market, or it could be due to other factors. The quote likewise suggests that the Commission is not scared to take a stand against large business, even if it implies that a deal will not go through. This could be viewed as a favorable sign for the European market, as it reveals that the Commission is willing to protect competitors and make sure fair practices.
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