Eighteen former European presidents and prime ministers have written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging the Commission to pursue a structural separation of Google’s adtech business.
The letter is signed by Members of Club de Madrid, the world’s largest forum of former Heads of State and Government, including representatives from France, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Greece, Albania, Romania and Slovenia.
The European Commission is set to decide its own approach to Google’s adtech dominance in the coming weeks, following its 2023 Statement of Objections which found that only a mandatory divestment – a breakup of Google’s services – could effectively restore competition. The signatories argue that such action is necessary to restore competition, protect Europe’s media sector, and reduce reliance on dominant foreign platforms.
This call for action comes as a decision in a parallel US case – also set to determine whether to break up Google’s adtech business – is expected imminently. Together, the US and EU cases signal growing global regulatory momentum to tackle Big Tech’s unchecked dominance.
The letter highlights concerns that Google’s control over digital advertising, enabled by its 2007 acquisition of DoubleClick, has stifled competition and left advertisers and publishers dependent on its services. A former Google executive previously described Google’s role in adtech as equivalent to “Goldman Sachs or Citibank owning the New York Stock Exchange”, underscoring the scale of its market power.
The signatories warn that Google’s monopoly threatens Europe’s media landscape by draining revenues from independent publishers. They argue that the rise of ‘news deserts,’ where communities lack access to independent journalism, weakens democratic accountability and fuels misinformation.
The letter recommends two key actions:
- a breakup of Google’s adtech business to restore fair competition
- investment in a “European Tech Deal” to boost innovation and build independent digital infrastructure.
Commenting on the issue, Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia and current President of Club de Madrid said: “Europe’s sovereignty and security are under great pressure. The EU’s pioneering tech regulations set a global benchmark, but true digital independence requires more than regulation alone. Pursuing structural separation in the Google case would send a strong signal that Europe is committed to fair and open digital markets, safeguarding democracy from the escalating threats of unchecked power and foreign influence.”
