The Spanish National Commission on Markets and Competition

The aim of the article is to analyse the creation of the Spanish National Commission on Markets and Competition, which merges the competition authority and seven sector regulators into a single body. I analyse the reasons given to justify its creation and the main features of its legal status. The conclusion is negative. The grounds given to its creation are not wholly satisfactory and do not justify such a revolutionary change. The National Commission on Markets and Competition (NCMC) status is also disappointing: the power of the Government in appointing the members of its Council is disproportionate, the rotatory system of the composition of the Chambers can obstruct its functioning and the economic resources of the new authority seem to be insufficient. Consequently, there are serious doubts about its independence and effectiveness.