Deutsche Börse and NYSE Euronext will lobby the 27 EU commissioners if their merger bid is turned down, analysts have predicted.
The two exchanges could mount an intensive campaign in Brussels if the EU Competition Commission rejects their bid.
Speculation is mounting that the Commission case team could give an outline decision as early as next week.
The decision will also be sent at the same time to the competition authorities in each member state for comment. If – as is widely expected – the bid in its current form is rejected in favour of a spin-off of part of the combined...