Antitrust has two important facets. On the one hand, it has a repressive facet of the control of prohibited conducts and mergers, in which the antitrust authorities have to penalise certain practices, should they see fit, and declare them to be prohibited, or they have to monitor the structural effects that may be caused to the markets as a consequence of a large merger operation. However, on the other hand, it has a preventive facet of the promotion of competition, from which permanent and intense work need be carried out in defence of the principles of free competition.

In our country, the results of this preventive facet of competition are not particularly brilliant. The promotion of competition in Spain has been scarce and has basically evolved in fits and starts, which translates into a considerable delay in comparison with other developed countries.

It is also in this preventive field where economic analysis should be conducted. A significant contribution is being made using economic techniques, not merely for the promotion and dissemination of the culture of competition, but also to provide the antitrust authorities with more extensive and precise information in the future that will enable them to take more appropriate decisions with the aim of the market working in the best way possible.