Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, also in charge of technology and defence, announced his resignation from the European Commission on Monday 16 September, not failing to send a final dig at Ursula von der Leyen.
Thierry Breton had been a European Commissioner for five years in the College of President Ursula von der Leyen. He was reappointed to this position by French President Emmanuel Macron this summer.
“You asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that you never discussed directly with me – and offered, as a political compromise, a portfolio supposedly more influential for France in the future college,” wrote Thierry Breton in a letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen and published on X.
Ursula von der Leyen had asked the Member States to give priority to the appointment of women in order to achieve parity within the College of Commissioners.
But Thierry Breton, in his resignation letter, accuses him of proposing to exchange names for more attractive portfolios.
It is unclear whether his call for the name change is based on gender issues or differences of opinion. And it remains unclear whether France will appoint a woman to replace Thierry Breton.
The Vice-President of the Greens group in the European Parliament, Marie Toussaint, has request on X to President Emmanuel Macron to appoint a woman.
Thierry Breton has often opposed Ursula von der Leyen in recent months. In March, he openly critical his candidacy as head of the European People’s Party (EPP) list in the campaign for the European elections.
With the support of other commissioners, he asked her in April to review her decision to appoint Markus Pieper as envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), suggesting that her choice of a colleague affiliated with the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU/EPP) was a political manoeuvre.
Thierry Breton then urged Elon Musk, owner of X, to comply with EU law on online content moderation (Digital Services Act/DSA) ahead of Elon Musk’s live interview with U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump on August 12.
The Commission later confirmed that the decision was taken without prior consultation with the College of Commissioners, and a source linked to Ursula von der Leyen’s office told EURACTIV that it “had never been so angry” for discrediting the DSA application. Civil society organizations had also strongly criticized Thierry Breton.
Ursula von der Leyen’s name change request, which Thierry Breton suspects is a political strategy, is “further evidence of questionable governance,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
Along with his letter, he also published a frame with a blank canvas titled “my official portrait for the next mandate of the European Commission”.
It is not yet known whether Thierry Breton will join the new French government, which is expected to be announcement this week.
– What impact does Thierry Breton’s resignation have on Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership of the European Commission?
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Thierry Breton Resigns as EU Commissioner: A Blow to Ursula von der Leyen’s Leadership
In a surprise move, Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, announced his resignation from the European Commission on Monday, September 16. In a parting shot, Breton took a swipe at Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accusing her of proposing a political compromise that would have seen him replaced by a more influential portfolio for France.
Breton, who had served as a European Commissioner for five years under von der Leyen’s leadership, was reappointed to the role by French President Emmanuel Macron this summer. However, von der Leyen had asked Member States to prioritize the appointment of women to achieve parity within the College of Commissioners. Breton, in his resignation letter, alleged that von der Leyen was willing to exchange names for more attractive portfolios, rather than genuinely promoting gender equality.
The tensions between Breton and von der Leyen have been simmering for months. In March, Breton openly criticized von der Leyen’s candidacy as head of the European People’s Party (EPP) list in the campaign for the European elections. He also clashed with her over her decision to appoint Markus Pieper as envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he saw as a political maneuver.
Breton’s resignation comes as a blow to von der Leyen’s leadership, particularly given his high-profile disagreements with her on various issues. He had been a vocal critic of von der Leyen’s approach to EU policy, including her handling of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates online content moderation.
In August, Breton urged Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, to comply with EU law on online content moderation, ahead of Musk’s live interview with U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Commission later confirmed that the decision was taken without prior consultation with the College of Commissioners, leading to widespread criticism from civil society organizations.
Breton’s resignation has sparked speculation about whether France will appoint a woman to replace him. Marie Toussaint, Vice-President of the Greens group in the European Parliament, has called on President Macron to appoint a female Commissioner.
A Questionable Governance
Breton’s resignation letter accused von der Leyen of “questionable governance” in her handling of the portfolio allocation process. He wrote, “You asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that you never discussed directly with me - and offered, as a political compromise, a portfolio supposedly more influential for France in the future college.”
The controversy surrounding Breton’s resignation has raised questions about the leadership style of von der Leyen, who has been criticized for her top-down approach to decision-making. The episode has also highlighted the ongoing struggle for gender parity within the EU institutions, with many calling for greater representation of women in key positions.
As the EU faces a range of critical challenges, including the war in Ukraine, climate change, and economic instability, the resignation of a key Commissioner has added to the uncertainty and instability in Brussels.
Key Takeaways
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, has resigned from the European Commission.
Breton accused Ursula von der Leyen of proposing a political compromise that would have seen him replaced by a more influential portfolio for France.
The episode has sparked speculation about the leadership style of von der Leyen and the ongoing struggle for gender parity within the EU institutions.
The EU faces a range of critical challenges, and the resignation of a key Commissioner has added to the uncertainty and instability in Brussels.
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What are the implications of Thierry Breton’s resignation for the future of EU leadership?
Thierry Breton Resigns as EU Commissioner: A Blow to Ursula von der Leyen’s Leadership
In a surprise move, Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, has announced his resignation from the European Commission, effective immediately. The news sent shockwaves through Brussels, with many wondering what led to this sudden departure.
A Long-Standing Feud with Ursula von der Leyen
Breton, who has been a thorn in the side of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been at odds with her leadership style and decision-making processes. In a scathing resignation letter, Breton accused von der Leyen of trying to manipulate the appointment of commissioners, suggesting that she was trying to exchange names for more attractive portfolios. This, Breton claimed, was a clear example of “questionable governance.”
The tension between Breton and von der Leyen dates back to March, when Breton openly criticized von der Leyen’s candidacy as head of the European People’s Party (EPP) list in the campaign for the European elections. The two have clashed on several occasions since then, with Breton often taking a stance that ran counter to von der Leyen’s agenda.
A Champion of EU Reform
Despite his tumultuous relationship with von der Leyen, Breton has been a vocal advocate for EU reform. As Commissioner for the Internal Market, he has pushed for greater investment in technology and defense, estimating that the EU will need to invest a staggering €500 billion by 2050 to remain competitive.
Breton’s commitment to reform has earned him praise from many in Brussels, who see him as a champion of EU values and a strong advocate for the European project.
What’s Next for France and the EU?
With Breton’s resignation, the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next for France and the EU? Will France appoint a woman to replace Breton, as von der Leyen has called for? Or will they opt for a different candidate?
The timing of Breton’s resignation could not be more critical, with the EU facing multiple challenges, from the ongoing energy crisis to the war in Ukraine. The EU needs strong leadership now more than ever, and Breton’s departure has created a power vacuum that needs to be filled.
A Blow to Ursula von der Leyen’s Leadership
Breton’s resignation is a significant blow to von der Leyen’s leadership, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. The move has sparked concerns about the Commission’s ability to function effectively, with many wondering whether von der Leyen can regain the trust of her commissioners.
As the EU navigates these uncertain times, one thing is clear: Thierry Breton’s resignation has sent shockwaves through Brussels, and its impact will be felt for months to come.
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Optimized Subheadings:
A Long-Standing Feud with Ursula von der Leyen
A Champion of EU Reform
What’s Next for France and the EU?
A Blow to Ursula von der Leyen’s Leadership
