It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to the former Chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Professor Erhard Kantzenbach, who passed away on 4 November 2024 at the age of 93.

Erhard Kantzenbach was a member of the Monopolies Commission from January 1974 to June 1986 and served as its Chairman from January 1979. As an outstanding scholar and pioneer in the field of competition law, he shaped the Commission’s work through his groundbreaking ideas and his clear economic analysis. Under Erhard Kantzenbach’s leadership, the Monopolkommission consolidated its role as an independent advisory body to the Federal Government.

With his concept of ‘effective competition’, which has gone down in the history of competition policy thought, Erhard Kantzenbach provided groundbreaking impetus for the further development of German and European competition law. His work has not only influenced antitrust practice but has also inspired generations of academics.

The ideas and principles that Erhard Kantzenbach introduced to the Monopolies Commission during his tenure continue to have an impact to this day. His commitment, his sharp analytical mind and his tireless passion for a fair and competitive economy make him an enduring role model for the competition policy community. We will all miss Erhard Kantzenbach greatly, but his legacy will continue to shape the development of competition law in the future.

Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. We mourn with them the loss of an extraordinary person, scholar and visionary. The Monopolies Commission will always honour his memory.