My guess, comet, is that we now have a different world. If the EU continued to prevent cross-border mergers, then more carriers would have to close. Better to lose a few jobs than all. We shall probably see two large carriers and then a few medium ones, then a few countries managing to retain their own. The LCCs are increasingly cross-border and so the consolidation of the European carriers will continue, as it is around the world. The old order is passing.
I think that AF/KLM have done very well. If they get approval, then they have expanded to the south with many routes added; if they do not get approval, the carrier will probably fold and they can pick up the pieces. Since they will now have done Due Diligence, they know exactly what the carrier has inside it. Nothing will happen until after the election and it will be fascinating to see if the unions and politicians realise that they have reached the end of the road.
Next up? By all accounts, Olympic.