France proposes using Google fines to lower EU member state budget contributions

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, France's Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad proposed that the European Union use the proceeds from fines imposed on Google to reduce member state budget contributions. In an interview with Franceinfo TV, Haddad said this new revenue source, worth €4.6 billion, should automatically lower contributions from all member states. The proposal comes as EU governments negotiate the 2028-2034 budget, with the European Commission proposing a €2 trillion budget. However, five net contributor countries, including Germany and Finland, want a smaller budget. Google has been fined a total of €10.38 billion by the EU for anti-competitive practices over nearly two decades.