THE POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS OF COMPETITION: ALIGNING THE DEFENSE OF COMPETITION WITH THE ECONOMIC CONSTITUTION AND THE PORTUGUESE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MODEL

Abstract

Abstract: recent proposals on procedural framework of competition law justify revisiting the theme of the legal interests proytected by competition laws, questioning whether it is sustainable to maintain an idea that competition law aims (only) to defend economic efficiency or consumers when competition defense entities are continuously entrusted with more and new powers which undoubtedly pertain to the tool kit for investigation of particularly serious criminal offenses.

Keywords: competition law; restrictive practices; legal interests