Developments in the TVN case. Can Donald Tusk block the deal?

Prof. Michał Romanowski, advocate and managing partner at the law firm Romanowski & Partners, commented on the potential tools available to the state in the context of a possible acquisition of TVN by Paramount Skydance.

If the transaction were to proceed, the Polish government—in principle—has the tools to halt it or subject it to multi-level scrutiny, including under the Act of July 24, 2015, on the Control of Certain Investments.

As the professor points out, TVN is on the list of protected entities, and the Minister of State Assets plays a key role, supported by the Consultative Committee (including representatives of government agencies).

In practice, this involves, among other things, verifying the beneficial owner and sources of capital—especially in the case of complex structures (funds, vehicles).

It is also important that decisions in this area may be difficult to challenge (discretionary nature + national security considerations). Additional “safeguards” may also arise from the powers of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK).

Read more in the article HERE (Polish version only).