Résumé : Dismantling the dominant position of an incumbent firm is a daunting task. Liberalization is a difficult process that many European countries have implemented only as a consequence of Directives coming from the European Commission, suggesting that EU institutions which are further away from local specific interests tend to be more market-oriented than national governments. Political commitment to reform is key to its implementation. The reform of the energy, telecommunications, and railway industries; professional services, retailing, postal services, and water are discussed.