The new European Commissioner for Competition

Mrs Margrethe VERSTAGER, former Danish Minister for Economic Affairs and the Interior is the new European Commissioner for Competition.

During her confirmation hearing on 2 October 2014,MEP's acknowledged her spirit of cooperation and her sharp mind. Below are a few of her key statements about free competition.

"The defense of the common interest is a hallmark for competition policy."

"Neutrality, impartiality and rigour: on the facts, on the economics, on the law - that will be the basis for my actions. I will listen everyone, from the largest multinationals to the representatives of small firms, from States to citizens."

"Companies succeed when they compete on merit, but in important markets, particular alertness is needed to ensure that dominant players will respect the rules."

"It is not sound industrial policy to protect companies from competition at the cost of consumers. Regulation shapes market reality."

"I will not hesitate to challenge the behaviour of major players unduly squeezing out smaller competitors."

"Consumers have to rely on us to make sure that things will change."

"One of the most important things to ensure when we make our investigations is that we make them on the basis of facts, understanding of markets and the rules and regulations that we are going to enforce."