A state aid perspective on the use of private intermediaries to carry out public tasks

The use of private intermediaries constitute one of the aspect of the privatization of public tasks whereby these intermediaries use the funds obtained from the State to conclude business contracts with undertakings thus fulfilling public policy objectives. From a State aid perspective, this raises the challenge when intermediaries' activities shall be imputable to the State to fall within the ambit of State aid rules especially when their commercial interest is at least partially dependent upon allocation of State's funds. In the light of the above, this paper will attempt to answer the questions when States can be deemed have acted as rational operators in a market economy, by providing remuneration for services offered by intermediaries, and conversely when States' conduct may constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU. Whether the existing legal framework can identify possible impacts on competition and trade resulting from intermediaries' activities.

Bibliografia/References

Bacon, K. (red.) (2017). European Union Law of State Aid. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hoffman, H. C. H., Micheau, C. (red.) (2016). State Aid Law of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kociubiński, J. (2013). Usługi świadczone w ogólnym interesie gospodarczym w prawie Unii Europejskiej. Toruń: TNOiK.

Kociubiński, J. (2018). Comparing the incomparable: a critical view of the applicability of the market economy investor principle to large infrastructure projects. European State Aid Law Quarterly, 17(1), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.21552/estal/2018/1/6

Núnez-Sánchez, R. (2015). Regional public support to airlines and airports: An unsolved puzzle. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 76(93), 93–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2015.02.005

Piernas López, J. J. (2015). The Concept of State Aid Under EU Law: From internal market to competition and beyond. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198748694.003.0009

Ramos-Pérez, D. (2016). State aid to airlines in Spain: An assessment of regional and local government support from 1996 to 2014. Transport Policy, 49(137), 137–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2016.05.004

Simon, H. A. (1957). Models of man: social and rational; mathematical essays on rational human behavior in society setting. New York: Wiley.

Simon, H. A. (1976). Method and Appraisal in Economics. Cambridge MA: Cambridge University Press.

Szydło, M. (2012). Artykuł 107. W: A. Wróbel (red.), Traktat o funkcjonowaniu Unii Europejskiej. Komentarz. Tom II. Warszawa: Wolters Kluwer.