Press Release, Bonn, 17 March 2016

The Chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Professor Dr. Daniel Zimmer, has resigned from his duties today by declaration to the Federal President. He justifies his decision by the ministerial authorization of the merger between Edeka and Kaiser’s Tengelmann.

The Monopolies Commission regrets sincerely Professor Zimmer’s decision. This decision marks a loss because Professor Zimmer advocated firmly for promoting competition principles in his role as Chairman. The Monopolies Commission is deeply grateful for his commitment. Professor Zimmer was a member of the Monopolies Commission for almost eight years. His Chairmanship started on 1^st July 2012. During his membership, the Monopolies Commission submitted three Main Reports and 21 Special Reports. His Chairmanship was marked by the Monopolies Commission opinion concerning competition on financial markets in the 20^th Main Report, and by the 68^th Special Report on competition on digital markets. Professor Zimmer was also very much involved in preparing the Special Report which was part of the proceedings for ministerial authorization of the merger of Edeka and Kaiser’s Tengelmann.