The European Commission’s decision on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard will still have to wait, as European antitrust has asked for a final decision of the case to be delayed until further notice. April 25th.
A final response from the EU was expected around April 10, but the Commission has requested a final extension of two weeks for the submission of the final response, which should therefore arrive on April 25, 2023. This is only one night from the deadline also stipulated for the CMA, the antitrust body. in the UK, which should provide its final answer on April 26.
It’s time to see the consequences of the famous buyout, which is still in the balance with antitrust authorities in the EU, UK and US, who must announce their final decisions, and yes, it’s taking a very long time because of the grandeur of the purchase.
(FYI) The European Commission has postponed its final decision date to April 25th
They want another 10 working days to make a decision under Section 10(3)2 on 01.03.2023
Only one day before the final decision of the Capital Markets Authority, which is April 26 pic.twitter.com/HCRMW5dfgS
– Idle Sloth (@IdleSloth84_) March 1, 2023
Both the EU and the CMA have already resorted to all possible extensions (8 weeks for the CMA and 20 working days for the European Commission), so the final answer from both should arrive, respectively, on April 25 and 26, which are two expected to be there. Particularly intense days for anyone who has been following the story for months.
In this way, the calendar changes with the next important dates for the takeover, at least with regard to the deadline for the decisions of the European Union and the United Kingdom, which are still waiting for the end of the battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which, however, this point may be of secondary importance, depending on On the development of antitrust in the old continent.
However, on February 21, a crucial meeting regarding the acquisition took place in Brussels, attended by Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, as well as Sony and other companies, in an attempt to find a solution to the deal. Microsoft has closed agreements with Nintendo and Nvida, but Playstation refuses to accept the acquisition.
