Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 5 September 2024.#Republic of Slovenia v European Commission.#Appeal – State aid – Articles 107 and 108 TFEU – Measures granted by the Republic of Slovenia to a municipal network of dispensing pharmacies before its accession to the European Union – Preliminary examination phase – Failure to initiate the formal investigation procedure – Concept of ‘serious difficulties’ – Extent of the European Commission’s investigative duty – Burden of proof on the party relying on the existence of ‘serious difficulties’ – Scope.#Case C-447/22 P.