French EU Commissioner for Internal Markets, Thierry Breton, is stepping down from his role due to "questionable governance", he announced in a letter posted on social media on Monday morning. The outgoing French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, was put forward as a possible replacement.
In the letter addressed to European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, Breton alleges that some days ago she asked France to withdraw his name for a second mandate in the Commission "due to personal reasons".
In return, as a political trade-off, France would be set to receive a "more influential" portfolio, according to Breton.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues in the College, Commission services, MEPs, Member States, and my team.
Together, we have worked tirelessly to advance an ambitious EU agenda. It has been an honour & privilege to serve the common European interest🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/wQ4eeHUnYu — Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) September 16, 2024
"In light of these latest developments – further testimony of questionable governance – I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College," Breton wrote.
Until the end of the mandate, Executive Vice-President, Margrethe Vestager, will take over Breton's Internal market portfolio and other relevant responsibilities, announced von der Leyen on Monday night.
No comment
During a press briefing, Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta confirmed that von der Leyen was informed of Breton's resignation on Monday morning and that the president accepts the resignation and thanks Breton for his services.
Regarding the accusations in Breton's letter, the spokesperson declined to comment: "We have not been commenting on this process [of the negotiations of the selection of Commissioners] until now and we will continue not to comment."
She further explained that although von der Leyen has and continues to be in contact with heads of governments and states regarding the nominations of Commissioners, such interactions are "confidential" and that no comments will be made to preserve the "trust-based relationship."
France's new candidate
Following Breton's resignation, France announced it had nominated the liberal MEP and outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné for the role of European Commissioner.
In a brief statement on Monday morning, the Elysée Palace reaffirmed President Macron's commitment to securing a key European Commission portfolio for France, focusing on industrial, technological and European competitiveness. The statement thanked Thierry Breton for his service and officially named Séjourné as the new candidate.
Regarding France's nomination and whether France should nominate a woman for gender balance, Podesta emphasised that the selection of candidates is the "prerogative of the Member State." However, she further reiterated that von der Leyen's suggested criteria for Commissioners are based on balance and competence.
Von der Leyen aims to present the composition of the College of Commissioners on Tuesday, Podesta confirmed during Monday's press briefing.
The EU Commission and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment from The Brussels Times.
