EU lawmakers accused the European Commission of yielding to political pressure after reports that a competition fine against Google was delayed or dropped to avoid worsening transatlantic trade tensions. The delay was reportedly linked to lobbying by EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič and alleged pressure from the US Department of Justice. Commission officials stated the investigation remains ongoing. Brussels issued a preliminary view in June 2023 finding Google violated EU competition rules in advertising technology, but no final decision has been produced more than two years later. Several MEPs warned this could set a dangerous precedent for enforcement and the rule of law.
EU lawmakers have accused the European Commission of caving to political pressure following allegations that a competition fine against Google was dropped to avoid worsening transatlantic trade tensions. The allegations, first reported by MLex on Monday, claimed that the Google decision had been delayed following lobbying by EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič. Andreas Schwab, a German MEP from the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), said that the fine had been "blocked" by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's cabinet since May and warned that a "decision in a specific [competition] case should not be politicised." The Commission has also been accused of bowing to pressure from the US Department of Justice to block the fine against Google. When pressed by reporters on Tuesday, a Commission spokesperson said the "investigation is still ongoing".
Brussels had already set out its preliminary view of the case in June 2023, finding that Google had violated EU competition rules through its dominance in advertising technology. More than two years later, however, the Commission has not produced a final decision.
'Dangerous precedent' German Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky said that if the allegations are true, it would mark "an unprecedented step" and set a "dangerous precedent" for the EU's rule of law. "If we bow every time we think the White House is angry, we will never get upright," he added. "Washington orders, Brussels complies, Google gloats," said French Left lawmaker Leila Chaibi, adding: "We will not yield." French liberal MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin also urged von der Leyen in a post on X to "deliver ONE clear, unequivocal message: the EU will not back down on enforcing its rules."
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