By Lucy Adautin
On Monday, French European Commissioner Thierry Breton announced his decision to resign from the European Union (EU) executive body, citing a disagreement with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
He claimed that von der Leyen had requested Paris to retract his candidacy.
Von der Leyen is in the process of finalizing her team of commissioners for her second term as head of the governing body, with the official list expected to be made public this week.
During Von der Leyen’s first term, Breton, a former business leader, served as the EU’s industry and internal market commissioner, where he played a key role in shaping significant policies, including industrial arms production and Big Tech regulations.
In his resignation letter, which Breton posted on X, he said von der Leyen “a few days ago” had asked France to withdraw his name as its pick for the Commission “for personal reasons” in return for an “allegedly more influential portfolio”.
“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 said in the letter.
Every EU member state is allotted one seat at the Commission’s table, though the influence and significance of their role differ widely based on the assigned portfolio.
