Federal Court approves BZ participation in 20 Minuten

The Berner Zeitung (BZ) may acquire a stake in the commuter newspaper 20 Minuten. The Federal Supreme Court ruling published on Tuesday thus confirms the decision of the Appeals Commission for Competition Issues, which in May 2006 had lifted the Competition Commission's (ComCo) ban on participation. The Competition Commission had lodged an appeal against this decision with the Federal Supreme Court (see ). In March 2003, the Berner Zeitung, which belongs to the Espace Media Groupe, acquired a 17.5 percent stake in 20 Minuten. While the Competition Commission approved the simultaneous investment by Tamedia, it refused to allow the Berner Zeitung to enter the commuter newspaper business. The Appeals Commission for Competition Issues overturned this ComCo decision in May 2006. The Competition Commission then lodged an administrative appeal against the Appeals Commission's decision with the Federal Supreme Court. The Federal Court has now made its final decision and has ruled in favor of the Berner Zeitung in its entirety. This means that the participation, which has now been suspended for four years, can finally be implemented.