Welcome to EU Tweets. This week it’s Google in a pickle, Theresa May looking fickle and opposition to gay marriage in Germany slowing to a trickle.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager slapped Google with a record-breaking €2.4 billion fine for promoting its own comparison shopping service and abusing search dominance.
.@Google gave illegal advantage to own comparison shopping service by abusing its search dominance: It must stop & pay fine of €2,4 bn.
— Margrethe Vestager (@vestager) June 27, 2017
But who gets the cash? The Commission said it’s good news for taxpayers as it goes straight into the EU coffers.
It goes into the EU budget, so €2.4bn less of taxpayers' money needed
— EU Competition (@EU_Competition) June 27, 2017
Google released what it calls the other side of the story.
The European Commission's decision on online shopping: the other side of the story https://t.co/OMsf6wqnjn
— Google Europe (@googleeurope) June 27, 2017
But most people seemed pleased with the decision. “ I want to be connected to whoever suits me most, not whoever pays your advert fees,” said Jamie Ogle.
Why would I want to be connected with advertisements? I want to be connected to whoever suits me most, not whoever pays your advert fees.
— Jamie (@JamieOgle) June 27, 2017
Lucrecia Aldao, for her part, thinks the Commission should be be taken to court for fiddling with our right to choose.
The @EU_Commission needs to be taken to court for fiddling with our right to choose… and putting in jeopardy those who live from Google.
— LucreciaAldao (@LucreciaAldao) June 27, 2017
Finally Simon Rankin had some advice for Google saying: You could always ask the DUP for a loan if you’re short!
#Google Fine
You could always ask the DUP for a loan if you are short pic.twitter.com/fsT3wRHWYb— simon rankin (@syjamr) June 27, 2017
Yes indeed, we’re back to Brexit and the British government fallout again.
In ongoing efforts to cling to power, Theresa May appears to have done a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, prompting much anger on Twitter.
Harry Leslie Smith summed it up: when you need to bribe the DUP to stay in power that’s not strong stable, but craven & desperate.
#TheresaMay when you need to bribe the #DUP to stay in power that's not strong stable, but craven & desperate. #DUPCoalition
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) June 26, 2017
May also revealed her plans for EU citizens in the UK post Brexit. All 3 million of them living in UK must apply for special ID card.
All 3 million EU27 citizens living in UK must apply for special ID card after Brexit https://t.co/ucdHrUlPBN pic.twitter.com/2abYbKXKwJ
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) June 26, 2017
UK’s top Brexit negotiator David Davis said he is “pretty sure but not certain” he can get a deal.
UK's top Brexit negotiator is "pretty sure but not certain" he can get a deal. Risking everything on those odds… https://t.co/SSjWweVpFV pic.twitter.com/is8zJfmvWh
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) June 25, 2017
Finally this week, same-sex marriage in Germany looks set to be a reality.
Two thirds of the German population support it and only the “Conservatives” want to block it.
2/3 of German population and most parties support same-sex marriage. Only the Conservatives block it. But they will need a coalition…
— Ragnar Weilandt (@RagnarWeilandt) June 24, 2017
Former European Parliament chief, Martin Schulz, said We will push through marriage equality in Germany. This week.
We will push through marriage equality in Germany. This week.
— Martin Schulz (@MartinSchulz) June 27, 2017
Elsewhere, recently re-elected PM Joseph Muscat has introduced a bill on marriage equality in Malta,
Es ist Zeit für die #ehefüralle! 13 Länder in Europa haben sie schon, jetzt ist Deutschland dran. #Toleranz #equality #humanrights #LGBT pic.twitter.com/WAaR6mZclO
— WhyEurope (@WhyEuropeORG) June 27, 2017
Back in Brussels, ILGA’s annual Equality Gala took place. Check out the hashtag for fabulous photos of people having fun, indulging in some eccentric dancing and posing for photos with with Cecilia Malmstrom, Elżbieta Bieńkowska and even Gunther H. Oettinger.
So great to be at the #EqualityGala2017 last night. Many people commented on wonderful Marek's dancing – here it is! @ILGAEurope pic.twitter.com/To7YesvK6X
— Queer Stagiaires ? (@QueerStagiaires) June 29, 2017
Strong #EU presence at #EqualityGala2017: Commissioners @MalmstromEU @EBienkowskaEU + #LGBTI representative #EU staff pic.twitter.com/T7sIcF2Wdc
— Günther H. Oettinger (@GOettingerEU) June 28, 2017
As Anna Shepard showed, it wasn’t so much a red carpet affair as a rainbow one.
Walking the #RainbowCarpet at #EqualityGala2017 thanks to our friends at @Google. #showup #glam pic.twitter.com/9P9Q5zc2Tk
— Anna Shepherd (@AK_Shep) June 28, 2017
This week we are supported by Statoil. Check out the cool photos of their floating Hywind park at Masdar. Next stop Scotland…
All turbines for Statoil’s #Hywind pilot park are now floating after a successfull operation. Scotland next! @Masdar pic.twitter.com/8lIxItHjp3
— Statoil (@Statoil) June 27, 2017
And that’s a wrap for another week. Join me again next week for the goodest, baddest and craziest goings on in the Brussels Bubble, using the hashtag, #EUTweets.