**France Proposes Using Google Fines to Offset EU Budget Contributions**
France has put forward a proposal suggesting that the European Union (EU) utilize the proceeds from fines levied against Google to lessen the financial contributions required from member states towards the EU budget. This proposal was articulated by Benjamin Haddad, France’s Europe Minister, during an interview on Tuesday with Franceinfo.
Haddad emphasized that the fines imposed on Google represent a significant revenue source for the EU, amounting to approximately €4.6 billion. He argued that these funds should be allocated in a manner that automatically reduces the financial burden on member states. "This is a new revenue source for the European Union that should automatically lower the contributions of all member states," he stated.
The context of this proposal arises from a recent ruling where Google was fined €890 million in July for violating EU regulations aimed at curbing the dominance of major technology firms. This fine contributed to a staggering total of €10.38 billion in penalties that the company has faced over nearly two decades for various anti-competitive practices.
As the EU prepares to negotiate its budget for the period from 2028 to 2034, discussions are ongoing among member states regarding the overall size of the budget and the priorities for spending. These negotiations are particularly crucial, with summits scheduled for October, November, and December, as EU leaders aim to reach a consensus before the end of the year.
The European Commission has proposed a budget totaling €2 trillion, which would represent 1.26% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI). Within this proposed budget, approximately €168 billion, or 0.11% of GNI, is earmarked to service the EU’s borrowing related to the post-pandemic recovery fund.
The proposal from France highlights the ongoing debate among EU capitals regarding budget contributions and reflects the broader challenges the EU faces in balancing its financial needs with the economic realities of its member states.