Stéphane Séjourné Confirmed as French Candidate for Next European Commission

France has named Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné as its candidate for the next European Commission, following the unexpected resignation of Thierry Breton, who stepped down after clashing with the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen.

Breton’s departure introduces a new chapter in the EU’s post-election power reshuffling, as top positions are distributed for the next five years.

Breton’s resignation on Monday was an unanticipated move in an already tense atmosphere following the European elections in June.

His exit was marked by a sharp critique of von der Leyen, signaling broader tensions between France and Germany, the EU’s two most influential member states.

Breton’s decision to step down is seen as part of a larger negotiation by President Emmanuel Macron to secure a major role for France in the upcoming Commission. Macron’s objective was clear: to maintain a powerful portfolio for France in the next European Commission despite internal political challenges.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Macron brokered a deal to secure an enhanced internal market and industry role for France’s nominee, with the added authority of an executive vice-president position.

This post would oversee a cluster of commissioners, allowing France to remain at the forefront of industrial, technological, and competitiveness issues in Europe. France, as the EU’s second-largest member, was adamant about maintaining a significant role in the new configuration of EU leadership, especially following the results of the June elections.

Macron’s office emphasised his long-standing efforts to secure a critical European Commission role for France, with a focus on strategic issues such as industrial sovereignty, technology, and competitiveness. In this context, Séjourné’s nomination aligns with Macron’s ambitions.

At 39, Séjourné is a close ally of Macron, known for his loyalty and discreet leadership. He has served as France’s foreign minister since January, keeping a relatively low profile while firmly defending Macron’s policies. His experience as a former EU lawmaker and his leadership in the 2019 European Parliament election make him well-positioned for the role.

Breton’s resignation letter, however, painted a more contentious picture of recent events. He claimed that von der Leyen had requested France to replace him as its nominee just days earlier, offering in return a “more influential portfolio.”

Breton expressed his dissatisfaction with the process, citing “questionable governance” in his letter, which led him to conclude that he could no longer serve in the Commission. His resignation was a clear departure from the expectations that he would remain a key player in the Commission.

Thierry Breton, a prominent figure in the European Commission over the last five years, has been instrumental in shaping critical EU policies, particularly in the areas of technology regulation, COVID-19 vaccine strategy, and defence.

He gained public attention through his clashes with tech magnate Elon Musk and his strong stance on Big Tech regulation.

As the internal market and industry commissioner during von der Leyen’s first term, Breton played a vital role in advocating for the telecommunications industry, including efforts to have large tech companies contribute to the costs of 5G and high-speed broadband across Europe.

Despite his achievements, Breton’s relationship with von der Leyen deteriorated in recent months. His public criticism of her decision to run for a second term as the European People’s Party (EPP) candidate was a significant factor in their falling out. Breton, a liberal, took issue with von der Leyen’s nomination by the conservative EPP, further straining their professional relationship.

Breton’s high-profile disputes with Musk and his stance on various issues had also caused friction within the Commission, according to officials. Nonetheless, his sudden resignation was unexpected, with some insiders suggesting that he had been poised to continue his role in the next Commission.

The development highlights the power dynamics at play between France and Germany, with von der Leyen representing Germany and Macron attempting to assert France’s influence within the EU.

It also comes at a time when Macron faces domestic political challenges after losing significant ground in both French and European parliamentary elections, weakening his position at home.

Main Image: Par European Parliament, via https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127902431