Overview

• Germany’s culture minister says he will present an Eckpunktepapier this autumn setting out a platform levy framed as an Abgabe rather than a tax.
• He argues Google functions as a medium and should be subject to German press law and liability for its own outputs.
• Weimer calls for antitrust, regulatory and tax measures against Google, saying monopolies must be broken up if necessary.
• He says proceeds from the levy would support the German media sector, citing Austria’s 5 percent advertising levy as a reference and recalling his earlier 10 percent idea.
• Weimer claims broad political backing but notes prior reservations within the CDU, and he acknowledges possible U.S. tariff retaliation that could force a retreat.