Germany’s Merkel backs EU telco consolidation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has thrown her support behind calls to ease restrictions on consolidation in Europe telecoms sector as the bloc’s competition watchdog nears a decision over two key mergers. Chancellor Merkel said that a balance needed to be achieved between market power and competition so that European businesses “can score internationally”, adding the digital economy should be placed at the top of the agenda for the new European Commission given the need to create jobs in the sector.