Independence of National Competition Authorities – Problem Solved by Directive 2019/1? Example of the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic

This paper analyses independence of National Competition Authorities under legislation before Directive 2019/1 and after Directive 2019/1. The aim of the paper is to find out whether Directive 2019/1 addresses the problem of independence properly or not. In order to answer the question, it discusses what does it mean the term independence, especially in the view of scholars. Several aspects of independence are identified. Subsequently, this paper zooms in on what are current imperfections when it comes to independence of National Competition Authorities. The Anti-monopoly Office of the Slovak Republic is discussed in particular. The paper then finds out what are the requirements of Directive 2019/1 and whether these requirements address the imperfection identified above. The paper confirms that these imperfections are covered only partially