French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked the European Commission to ease the financial pressure on member states by using extra revenues generated by the EU, such as those from recent fines, to reduce the amount each country contributes to the EU budget. This request comes after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) rejected Google’s appeal on July 2, upholding a 4.1 billion euro fine imposed on the tech giant in 2018 for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the mobile phone market. The fine was part of a broader investigation into Google's business practices, which the EU claimed unfairly disadvantaged competitors. Lecornu emphasized that many European countries are currently facing significant financial strain, with tight public budgets and limited access to borrowing due to higher interest rates on government bonds. He urged the Commission to ensure that any unexpected revenue from fines, as well as other sources like customs duties and new taxes on small online packages, be used to lower the contributions that member states must pay into the EU’s overall budget. This would help relieve pressure on national finances during a difficult economic period. The CJEU’s decision to uphold the fine means that the 4.1 billion euro penalty, including interest, will be treated as additional revenue for the EU. Lecornu has asked that this amount be included in the EU’s revised 2026 budget, which is expected to be finalized in October. His goal is to use this revenue to reduce the financial burden on member states, particularly those struggling with high public debt and limited fiscal flexibility. This request reflects a broader debate within the EU about how to manage unexpected revenues and distribute financial responsibilities more equitably among member states. Lecornu’s call highlights the growing concern among European leaders about balancing EU-wide financial obligations with the need to support national economies under pressure.