4: Jasminka Pecotic Kaufman from Croatia
A key competition law development in Croatia in 2020: Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, 2020 AD will be remembered for the very strong earthquake in Zagreb in late March. A chilly early morning, a ton of people in our street in pyjamas and overcoats, most with masks, all socially distanced, a queue starting to form in front of the local bakery amidst aftershocks fears and empty stomachs. No such earthquake was felt at the Croatian Competition Agency, which enjoys its post-accession slumber for some time now. Most of its decisions, again this year, relate to dismissing the unrelenting wave of desperate petitioners: some angry at the Croatian Bar Association for enjoying a legal monopoly and charging excessive entry fees, another angry at its competitor for winning a tender for chimney sweep services, or at the municipal funeral firm unduly blocking entry. Urgently wanted: a big case with a large fine, more strategic case prioritization, or perhaps just more Croatian Association of Competition Law and Policy webinars.
A place to visit in Croatia after the pandemic: Korcula Town on the Island of Korcula in the Adriatic. The most beautiful place on the Planet.
Jasminka Pecotic Kaufman is Professor of Law at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, President of the Croatian Competition Law and Policy Association and Co-Director of ASCOLA South-East Europe Chapter.