Thierry Breton resigns in a snub to the leadership of the European Commission president
A powerful French member of the European Union's executive branch resigned in a harsh letter on Monday, accusing his boss, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, of undermining him.
Thierry Breton had been nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron for a second term as the bloc's internal market commissioner in Brussels. However, Breton unexpectedly cancelled his appointment, accusing von der Leyen of acting behind his back to try to convince Macron to sack him.
“A few days ago, in the final stages of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name, for personal reasons that you have never discussed directly with me,” Breton wrote in a fiery message to von der Leyen on day X:
The unexpected resignation comes a day before the Commission president is due to announce the composition of the College of Commissioners, which she wants to make more gender-balanced. Smaller EU members such as Slovenia and Romania have withdrawn their male candidates under pressure from von der Leyen and replaced them with women, according to Politico.
“In light of these latest events – further evidence of questionable governance – I must conclude that I can no longer carry out my duties at the College.” Breton continued.
“I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, with immediate effect.”
Breton went on to accuse von der Leyen of offering France a more influential portfolio if Macron changed his candidate, a tactic she has reportedly tried with smaller EU member states.
Tensions between Paris and Brussels over France's possible portfolio in the next European Commission have reportedly been escalating in recent days. “France is not satisfied with the scope of the portfolio assigned to Thierry Breton,” A senior French official from Macron's party told Politico, before addressing rumors that Italy's commissioner-designate would get a coveted economics job.
Breton and von der Leyen are believed to have clashed repeatedly, both privately and publicly, over the past five years.
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