An Inspiring Exchange at the Intersection of Competition Law, Policy and Equality: Reflections on the 3rd Conference of the Women in Competition Law Network Austria

Early in their careers, few things are as motivating for young women as seeing what is possible. Not in theory, but in practice – through the presence of women who have already found their place at the top of the profession.

On 26 January 2026, the top floor of the Faculty of Law of the University of Vienna provided a fitting backdrop for the 3^rd Conference of the Women in Competition Law Network Austria (WCNA). What followed was not only a high-level discussion of current challenges in competition law, but also a powerful reminder of how far the women in this profession have come – and how important strong networks remain.

The conference brought together practitioners, judges, policymakers, academics and students to discuss merger control, cartel enforcement, and the future of competition policy in a time of geopolitical change. While the event was – by design – a platform highlighting women in competition law, it was open to all and benefited from a genuinely diverse and interdisciplinary exchange.

Opening remarks: legal certainty in times of change

The conference was opened by Christian Koller, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Vienna, who emphasised the importance of legal certainty, the rule of law and effective communication, particularly in times of limited resources and rapidly evolving markets.

This was followed by welcoming remarks from Georg Kodek, President of the Austrian Supreme Court, Senate President of the Supreme Cartel Court and Professor of Law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Reflecting on his own professional journey, he recalled how marginal competition law once was in legal education – and how engaging and intellectually rewarding the field became once he began working with it in practice. His remarks underscored how much the discipline has grown in both relevance and complexity.

Keynote: equality, networks and the courage to “take up space”

The keynote address by Anna Sporrer, Federal Minister of Justice, set a clear and inspiring tone for the day. Equality and equal treatment, she explained, have been a consistent thread throughout her career. She openly reflected on the question many women in leadership positions still face: whether they reached their role despite or because of their feminist convictions.

Particularly addressing the many students present, the Minister encouraged women to take up space, to speak up about unfair treatment even when it is uncomfortable, and to be visible. She highlighted the crucial role of networks such as the WCNA, stressing that progress is rarely achieved alone: pooling expertise, relying on “swarm intelligence” and supporting one another makes a tangible difference.

The keynote served as a reminder that many achievements in gender equality are historically recent – from unrestricted access to employment to equal legal standing. Minister Sporrer also pointed to intersections between competition law and equality, such as the debate around the so-called pink tax, and emphasised that equality is not only a social objective, but also an economic one.

Competition policy in a changing world: Q&A and panel discussions

A subsequent Q&A session, moderated by Astrid Ablasser-Neuhuber (bpv Hügel), brought together Natalie Harsdorf, Director General of the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB), and Gabriel Felbermayr, Director of WIFO, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, and Professor of Economics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The discussion addressed some of the most pressing questions currently facing competition policy: the diversification of markets driven by digitalisation and AI, geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and subsidies, and their impact on enforcement and market dynamics.

A recurring theme was the importance of legal certainty, swift and predictable enforcement, and close cooperation within the European Competition Network (ECN). The discussion also touched on the potential trade-offs between efficiency and resilience, for instance in the context of supply chain redundancies, as well as on the ongoing debate around European or national “champions” versus competition-preserving cooperation models.

Panel 1: Merger control and the revision of Regulation 1/2003

The first panel, moderated by Anna Wolf-Posch (Cerha Hempel), focused on new developments in merger control and the revision of Regulation 1/2003.

Ulla Schwager (European Commission) outlined the simultaneous revision of the Horizontal and Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines – an exceptional and timely process given the profound economic transformations of the past two decades. Digitalisation, globalisation and decarbonisation, she explained, require an updated analytical framework that remains economically sound, predictable and evidence-based, while continuing to safeguard competition as a driver of innovation and consumer welfare.

Nora Schindler (BWB) highlighted the growing importance of innovation in merger assessment and the challenges associated with preserving incentives to innovate while maintaining effective competition. She stressed the value of sector-specific expertise and ex post evaluations, and addressed issues of harmonisation in the context of the revision of Regulation 1/2003.

From a legislative perspective, Felicitas Parapatits (Federal Ministry of Justice) presented the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, including its implications for media merger control in Austria. Erika Ummenberger-Zierler (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs) concluded the panel by addressing broader economic policy considerations, efficiencies, third-country subsidies and the delicate balance between over- and under-enforcement.

Panel 2: Cartel investigations, leniency and transparency

The second panel focused on current developments in cartel investigations, taking a distinctly practice-oriented perspective. Moderated by Lena Hornkohl (University of Vienna), the discussion brought together Barbara Seelos, Sebastian Reiter (bpv Hügel) and Sonja Köller-Thier, reflecting the viewpoints of authority, private practice and the judiciary.

The panel first addressed recent trends in cartel investigations in Austria, including procedural duration, investigative intensity and international coordination. From the Austrian Competition Authority’s perspective, Barbara Seelos highlighted the increasing complexity of cases and the growing importance of cross-border cooperation.

A second focus lay on the future of leniency programmes. While leniency remains a cornerstone of cartel enforcement, the panellists observed a more cautious approach by companies considering self-reporting. Strategic timing, the completeness of applications and the risks associated with delayed submissions were discussed, alongside concerns relating to follow-on litigations and reputational exposure. From a judicial perspective, Sonja Köller-Thier, Senate President at the Higher Regional Court Vienna/Cartel Court, referred to recent CJEU case law, including the Austrian reference for a preliminary ruling in Case C-2/23 (FL und KM Baugesellschaft), and its implications for procedural expectations.

The discussion also turned to access to files and defence rights, highlighting the need to balance effective enforcement with the protection of confidential information and trade secrets. With regard to the new Austrian Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz, IFG), the discussion clarified that while court decisions will be published, the IFG does not establish a right of access to information in judicial proceedings. The panellists noted that transparency obligations under the IFG primarily concern administrative authorities, whereas judicial proceedings are granted a higher level of confidentiality protection.

More than a conference: visibility, role models and community

Beyond the substantive discussions, the conference stood out for its atmosphere: open, collegial and genuinely inspiring. Seeing so many women in leading roles across authorities, courts, ministries, academia and private practice made tangible how much has changed in competition law – and how important visibility and role models remain. What stood out was the participants’ level of expertise, as well as a shared understanding that success gains value when it creates opportunities for others. Informal exchanges during coffee breaks and lunch rounded off a day that combined intellectual depth with a strong sense of community.

The 3^rd WCNA Conference offered more than an update on competition law: it demonstrated the value of networks, the power of diverse perspectives, and the confidence that the next generation of women in competition law is entering a profession that is both demanding and  increasingly open to equal opportunities – with today’s leading women in the field paving the way for those who follow.