Vestager’s victories see her quit on a high

Margrethe Vestager, the EU antitrust chief, is leaving her position after achieving significant court victories against major tech companies Apple and Google. These rulings have reinforced her legacy as a formidable opponent of Big Tech, especially following a challenging final year marked by setbacks. Vestager expressed deep emotion upon winning a €13 billion case against Apple, which was unexpected given the negative predictions from her team. Her aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement has been praised, with experts suggesting that her successes will embolden the European Commission to adopt a more assertive strategy in regulating large tech firms. One of Vestager's notable achievements includes a ruling against Google regarding its preferential treatment of its shopping service, which she hopes will inspire a more proactive regulatory environment. Her tenure began in 2014 with a commitment to intensify investigations into Google, reversing her predecessor's more lenient stance. Despite her successes, Vestager faced criticism for her use of state aid in pursuing tax justice, which some viewed as opportunistic and unprincipled. Throughout her career, she has made powerful enemies, including the U.S. Treasury and former President Donald Trump, who criticized her for her stance against American tech giants. However, her efforts to address issues of market power and tax avoidance have garnered her support in Europe. Vestager's approach has been characterized as an 'iron fist in a velvet glove,' reflecting her ability to balance firmness with diplomacy. As she departs, there are hopes that her successor will continue the momentum of tax investigations and maintain the aggressive stance she established against Big Tech, ensuring that the European Commission remains vigilant in its regulatory efforts.