Thierry Breton steps down, criticizing European Commission President’s leadership
In a sharp rebuke, Thierry Breton, a prominent French member of the European Union’s executive branch, resigned on Monday, accusing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of undermining his position.
Breton, nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron for a second term as the EU’s internal market commissioner, unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy. He alleged that von der Leyen had secretly approached Macron, seeking to persuade him to replace Breton.
“A few days ago, in the very final stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that in no instance you have discussed directly with me,” Breton wrote to von der Leyen on X.
Breton’s resignation comes just a day before von der Leyen was scheduled to announce the makeup of the College of Commissioners, which she aims to make more gender-balanced. Reports indicate that smaller EU members, including Slovenia and Romania, have yielded to pressure from von der Leyen, replacing male candidates with women.
“In light of these latest developments – further testimony to questionable governance – I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College,” Breton continued.
“I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately.”
Breton further accused von der Leyen of offering France a more influential portfolio if Macron were to swap candidates. This strategy has been reported as a tactic employed by von der Leyen with smaller EU nations.
Tensions between Paris and Brussels over France’s potential portfolio in the next European Commission have reportedly escalated in recent days. “France is not satisfied with the portfolio scope allocated to Thierry Breton,” a senior French official from Macron’s party told Politico, prior to rumors suggesting that Italy’s commissioner designate would secure a coveted economics role.
Breton and von der Leyen are understood to have clashed repeatedly, both publicly and privately, over the past five years.