In Europe, a Resolution to Break Up Google

Legislators at the European Parliament who have long sought tough antitrust action against Google called on Nov 21 for a resolution suggesting that Google be broken up into separate companies.

The parliament has no formal power over antitrust policy in the European Union, and the resolution, which also covers a range of issues concerning digital consumers in Europe, would be nonbinding. Political groups at the Parliament must make a final decision early next week about whether to include the language affecting Google in the final text of the resolution, which could go to a vote on Nov 27. But if the language is included -- and if the resolution gains widespread support at a full session next week of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France -- it would probably increase pressure on Margrethe Vestager, the competition commissioner, to bring formal charges against Google.