The Polish competition authority, UOKiK, is hosting the European Competition Day, a flagship event of Poland's EU presidency. This gathering in Warsaw brings together more than 100 representatives from antitrust authorities, EU institutions, academia, and legal professionals to discuss the future directions of competition law in light of contemporary political changes and global challenges.

Mario Monti, the initiator of the European Competition Day, emphasized that a strong competition policy is essential for innovation and prosperity in Europe. UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny echoed this sentiment, stating that competition law is not just a tool against abuses but a foundation for a well-functioning economy that fosters innovation and fair competition among businesses.

This year's theme, “The Evolution of Competition Law: Adapting to Modern Political Changes and Global Challenges,” coincides with the 35th anniversary of antitrust enforcement in Poland. The discussions will cover key topics shaping the current debate on competition protection, including the role of economic analysis and innovative enforcement approaches.

Monti highlighted that the openness of the single market and the creation of European champions are not mutually exclusive. He argued that a robust competition policy is the best guarantee for innovation and prosperity, enabling Europe to compete effectively on a global scale. He also noted that industrial policy should not undermine the single market but should be inspired by forward-looking principles.

The Draghi Report and the Competition Compass set strategic directions for future actions in competition policy, emphasizing the need to protect fair competition while supporting innovation and resilience in supply chains. New challenges require antitrust authorities to expand their intervention tools, particularly through sectoral investigations and ex-ante regulations stemming from the Digital Markets Act.

Discussions also touched on the application of competition law to sectors previously considered less significant, such as labor markets. Several EU member states are currently investigating wage-fixing practices and no-poach agreements, recognizing that employee mobility is a new indicator of healthy competition. UOKiK has initiated investigations into potential no-poach agreements among companies in the transport sector.

Transatlantic relations add another layer of complexity, with the U.S. threatening tariffs over perceived excessive EU penalties on Big Tech. Experts suggest that strong yet predictable rules could transform conflict into dialogue, provided Europe and the U.S. align their definitions of dominance and penalties.

The European Competition Day features a unique 45-minute unscripted conversation between two leading figures in global competition law, Professors Frédéric Jenny and Richard Whish, who will discuss the boundaries of industrial policy and the evolution of enforcement standards.

As Poland marks 35 years of antitrust enforcement, the European Competition Day aims to provide the new Commission with concrete recommendations on integrating competition with industrial policy and executing new digital regulations.