A new order for EU merger control in digital markets.

This article discusses recent policy changes and legislative developments that have expanded the jurisdiction of the European Commission and national competition authorities. These changes have created uncertainty for businesses regarding whether their transactions will need to be reviewed. The article also highlights a significant development in the assessment of conglomerate mergers, particularly in the digital sector. The European Commission recently prohibited a conglomerate merger between Booking Holdings and eTraveli, based on an ecosystem theory of harm. This departure from previous guidelines and the lack of a clear economic and legal framework for such theories of harm raises concerns about predictability and legal certainty in merger control. The article emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that addresses the challenges of digital markets while providing a just and predictable framework for businesses. [Extracted from the article]