Stäheli wants provisional enforcement

Newspapers Despite Weko, Espace Media is sticking to the Bund timetable The rescue model for the Bund is being subjected to an in-depth review by the Competition Commission (Weko), which will take a maximum of four months. There is therefore concern that the decision may not be available in time for the planned cooperation date between Berner Zeitung and Bund under the Espace Media umbrella on January 1. Albert P. Stäheli, CEO of Espace Media Groupe, explains that the in-depth examination by the Competition Commission will not change this timetable. "We will launch our two-title model as planned on January 1, even if the actual takeover cannot yet be completed." A delay would be unacceptable in view of the extremely difficult economic situation at the Confederation - and because of the advertising market. "That is why we are now applying to the Competition Commission for provisional enforcement," says Stäheli. This would give us the opportunity to introduce the Bernese model on time. Either way, the planning work and the necessary investments in the infrastructure will continue at the current pace, and Espace Media Groupe was not surprised by the Weko's verdict. "Based on the Competition Commission's previous practice, it was clear that a Bern model would not be waved through without in-depth examination," explains Stäheli. Precisely because the Competition Commission is already very well documented about the Bern newspaper market, he expects the special audit to take significantly less than four months.
Stäheli cannot imagine a negative decision. "Because then there would be a great risk that the current owners would stop the covenant." At best, certain conditions would have to be expected, he says.
(dse)