EU competition chief Teresa Ribera warned member states not to invoke security arguments to block cross‑border bank mergers that could sharpen the single market. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, she said such tactics must be narrowly interpreted, stressing that capital, goods and services need free movement to keep Europe competitive. She added that any obstruction harms investment flows and could delay recovery after the pandemic.

Uni Credit CEO Andrea Orcel has pushed a two‑year bid to acquire Germany’s Commerzbank, a transaction that would become Europe’s largest bank merger in two decades. The takeover would give the Italian lender a dominant foothold in Germany and expand its presence in Poland, while the German government, holding about 12% of Commerzbank, opposes any loss of independence.

Ribera reminded that the Commission can sanction states that bypass its antitrust review, though enforcement can be lengthy. Italy has previously used golden‑power powers to block deals it deems contrary to national interest, even when Brussels found no competition concerns. The warning signals that Brussels will push back firmly if governments try to derail the Uni Credit‑Commerzbank merger.