Press Release: State aid: Commission launches in-depth investigation into unlimited state guarantee for the French post office (La Poste)

The European Commission has opened the formal investigation procedure against France regarding the unlimited state guarantee provided for La Poste. La Poste benefits from this guarantee because of its status as a legal entity governed by public law, equivalent to an EPIC. The guarantee enables La Poste to obtain finance on favourable terms. Because its competitors do not enjoy the same advantage, the guarantee is likely to distort competition to an extent detrimental to the common interest, at a time when the postal sector is in the process of being liberalised. Initiating the procedure gives interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed measures, but does not in any way prejudge the outcome.