Doctolib's French antitrust sanction sends warning on acquisition strategies
By Jean Comte ( November 6, 2025, 17:17 GMT | Comment) -- A sanction against Doctolib is the French competition watchdog's first time penalizing an acquisition as a dominance abuse, since the EU Court of Justice confirmed the possibility in its Towercast ruling. French enforcers warned the fine could be higher for future offenders, which could also face their deals being unpicked. But the regulator's president, Benoit Coeuré, acknowledged that more legal certainty would come with call-in powers that he hopes to gain soon.Dominant French companies have been warned: Buying a small rival to smother competition can lead to an antitrust sanction. Even if the deal is seven years old....
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