12.11.2026

Competition. Fairness. Change. Vol. 4

Fair Competition in a Changing World: A Focus on Europe's Competitiveness, Media Diversity, and Public Procurement

On 2 December 2026, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), the Federal Competition Authority (BW), and the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) will host an event focused entirely on competition. The full-day event will take place at the Austrian National Bank.

Programme

8:30-9:00: Admission and Registration

9:00-9:45: Welcome and Opening Panel "The Economy in Transition: Recognizing Opportunities, Shaping the Future"

Gabriel Felbermayr, Director (WIFO)
Natalie Harsdorf, Director General (BWB)
Martin Kocher, Governor (OeNB)

9:45-11:00: Keynote and Panel 1

Keynote: Maria Jaspers, Director (Policy and Strategy, DG Comp)

Panel 1 : Economic Policy and Fair Competition in the Context of Geopolitical Changes (English Panel)

Elisabetta Iossa, Professor of Economics at the University of Rome (Autorità garante della concorrenza e del mercato)
Nuno Cunha Rodrigues, President (Autoridade da Concorrência)
Lars Feld, Professor of Economic Policy (University of Freiburg)

11:00-11:30: Coffee break

11:30-12:30: Panel 2: Innovation and Digital Transformation: Telecom as a Case Study? (English Panel)

Viktoria H.S.E. Robertson, Head of the Department of Antitrust Law and Digitalization (Vienna University of Economics and Business – WU)
Klaus Steinmaurer, Managing Director of the Telecommunications Division (RTR)
Agustín Reyna, Director General (European Consumer Organization)
Thomas Arnoldner, Deputy CEO (A1 Group)

12:30-14:00: Lunch break

14:00-14:15: Keynote: Markus Marterbauer, Federal Minister of Finance (BMF)

14:15-15:15: Panel 3 : The Future of Media: Media Diversity, Competition, and Regulation

Astrid Ablasser-Neuhuber, Partner, Head of Antitrust Law (bpv Hügel)
Corinna Milborn, Director of Information (ProSiebenSat.1PULS 4 GmbH Broadcasting Group)
Michael Ogris, Chairman (Media Authority KommAustria)
Stefan Ruech, Head of Case Division B (BWB)

15:15-15:45: Coffee break

15:45-17:00: Keynote and Panel 4

Keynote: Michael Holoubek, Member of the Constitutional Court, University Professor (Vienna University of Economics and Business, Institute for Austrian and European Public Law)

Panel 4: Fair Competition, Fair Procurement? Challenges in European and Austrian Public Procurement

Costanza Caputi, Policy Analyst (OECD)
Gerhard Zotter, Managing Director (Bundesbeschaffung GmbH)
Michael Böheim, Economist (WIFO)
Peter Klimek, Director (Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria – ASCII)

Starting at 17:00: Wrap-up with drinks and snacks