INERCOM appeals the ban to buy electricity supplier CEZ

The company INERCOM lodged its objection at the Supreme Administrative Court on 30^th of July, a day before the magistrates went out on vacation.

INERCOM appealed against the prohibition of the Commission for Protection of Competition to buy CEZ.

The Anti-trust Commission barred Inercom, owned by Ginka Varbakova, from buying CEZ on the grounds that it would lead to unfair competition in the electricity market. The commision justifies its decision with the fact that the buyer company owns solar panels and buying the electricity supplier in Western Bulgaria will be in a more favourable position than its competitors.

"We took a close look at the document and analysed in detail the reasons for the negative decision of the anti-monopoly body. We expect a quick and fair decision on the part of the Supreme Administrative Court," said Milena Stoeva, chairman of the board of directors of INERCOM.

The one-month summer vacation of the court begins in a day. If the SAC rejects the appeal, it may be appealed once more. If the court considers it, this does not immediately mean approval of the sale but a return of the text for a new ruling by the Commsion for Protection of Competition on the deal. Without the consent of the anti-trust authority, the sale cannot be completed.

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission should also rule on the sale of CEZ. However, the authority does not yet have the legal criteria to do so.