Order of the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of 6 September 2021 –
MKB Multifunds v Commission

(Case T‑277/20)

(Action for annulment – State aid – Private equity fund – Complaint – Measures allegedly constituting State aid related to Dutch Venture Initiative – Decision adopted at the end of the preliminary procedure for reviewing aid – Decision finding that there is no State aid – Status as an interested party – Safeguarding of procedural rights – Inadmissibility)

1.      Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Decision of the Commission finding that there is no State aid without initiating the formal investigation procedure – Action by interested parties within the meaning of Article 108(2) TFEU – Admissibility – Conditions

(Arts 108(2) and (3) and 263, fourth para., TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 1(h))

(see paras 23-25)

2.      Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Decision of the Commission finding that there is no State aid without initiating the formal investigation procedure – Action challenging the justification of that decision – Action by an undertaking not demonstrating that its market position was substantially affected – Inadmissibility

(Arts 108(2) and 263, fourth para., TFEU)

(see paras 26, 53, 54)

3.      State aid – Examination by the Commission – Administrative procedure – Person concerned for the purposes of Article 108(2) TFEU – Concept – Undertaking not in direct competition with the aid recipient – Necessity for that undertaking to demonstrate the specific effect of aid on its situation

(Art. 108(2) TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 1(h))

(see paras 29-51)

4.      Action for annulment – Jurisdiction of the EU judicature – Claim seeking that directions be issued to an institution – Claim seeking that the Commission be ordered to open the formal State aid investigation procedure – Lack of jurisdiction

(Art. 263 TFEU)

(see para. 57)

Re:

Application under Article 263 TFEU seeking, in essence, annulment of Commission Decision C(2020) 1109 final of 27 February 2020 concerning State aid SA.55704 (2019/FC) – the Netherlands, relating to alleged State aid granted to Dutch Venture Initiative.

Operative part

1. The action is dismissed as manifestly inadmissible.

2. MKB Multifunds BV shall bear its own costs and pay those incurred by the European Commission.

3. The Kingdom of the Netherlands shall bear its own costs.