French European Commissioner Thierry Breton announced his resignation on Monday, citing a rift with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton alleges that von der Leyen, who is finalizing her list of commissioners for her second term, asked France to withdraw his candidacy. According to Breton, the request came with the offer of a “more influential portfolio” in exchange, allegedly due to “personal reasons”.
Breton, a former business executive, has held the position of EU’s industry and internal market commissioner during von der Leyen’s first term. He oversaw crucial policies, including industrial arms production and the regulation of Big Tech. In his resignation letter, posted on X, Breton stated that he could no longer fulfill his duties due to what he deems “questionable governance”.
The French presidency has yet to respond to requests for comment. While von der Leyen’s office has not provided an official statement, the allegations surrounding the incident have raised eyebrows within the EU. Each member state holds a single seat at the Commission’s table, although their political weight and influence vary greatly depending on the portfolio assigned. The specifics of the offered “more influential portfolio” and the reasons behind the request for Breton’s withdrawal remain unclear.
