EU Appoints Former Von der Leyen Aide to Top Competition Job

The European Commission has appointed Anthony Whelan, a former aide to President Ursula von der Leyen, to lead its competition policy arm amid growing clashes with the US over regulating Big Tech and a push for merger rules that boost European giants.

Whelan’s new boss, competition commissioner Teresa Ribera, announced the appointment on Bluesky, heralding the Irishman’s “strong understanding of how our rules serve citizens, innovation and fair markets.”

Teresa Ribera and Anthony Whelan.

Source: European Commission

A trial lawyer by training and long-time EU official, Whelan returns to the competition portfolio after stints in the commission’s legal service, as head of cabinet to ...