Deputy Alfonso Ramírez Cuéllar presented an initiative for a new competition law called the Federal Antitrust and Economic Competition Law as a measure to improve the conditions of consumers in Mexico. The constitutional reform ensures the separation of functions to guarantee due process and regulate new monopolistic practices of abusing a dominant position, such as imposing unfair prices. The initiative addresses concepts related to telecommunications legislation, which has raised some concerns, as the new regulatory body will take on competition issues that previously belonged to the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, such as the issue of preponderance. This could create conflicts with provisions in other sectors, such as energy or telecommunications. The proposal aims to maintain the principles of competition regulation, following international practices and trade agreements. It introduces the concept of competitive neutrality and proposes the creation of a new competition authority with an Antitrust Prosecutor's Office to replace the current Investigative Authority. The initiative also suggests increasing penalties, reducing the timelines for procedures, and establishing the obligation to notify cooperation agreements. The new competition law would establish the National Agency for Competition and Economic Welfare as the authority in this matter, replacing the Federal Economic Competition Commission. The proposal is seen as a historic opportunity to advance in issues of competition and economic welfare. It is expected to be clearly defined to provide security to consumers and investors. It is a relevant issue in various jurisdictions, especially in digital and energy markets. Alfonso Ramírez Cuéllar has been an advocate for competition policies and a critic of past efforts in this area. The initiative proposes legislating on the concept of economic group to sanction multiple companies at once, which was not previously regulated. There is potential to expand this concept to other companies beyond the telecommunications and broadcasting sector, which poses additional challenges in the future.
