EU opens in depth-investigation in the Vivendi-Lagardere deal
[1/2] The logo of French media group Lagardere is seen at the group's shareholders meeting in Paris, France, May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
BRUSSELS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it had opened an in-depth investigation to assess Vivendi's (VIV.PA) planned acquisition of rival Lagardere (LAGA.PA), a deal that would combine France's two biggest publishing groups.
"The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition on a number of markets across the entire book value chain in French-speaking countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and in a segment of magazine publishing in France," EU's watchdog said in a statement.
Reuters had reported this EU antitrust investigation earlier this month.
The Commission now has until 19 April 2023, to take a decision.
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