Thierry Breton’s Departure: A Clash with Ursula von der Leyen?

Thierry Breton, the Commissioner for Internal Market, announced his resignation with a sharp critique of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership style.

His abrupt departure has highlighted internal conflicts within the Commission and the somewhat Faustian manoeuvring involved in the selection of commissioners.

Breton’s Abrupt Exit
On Monday morning, Breton made his resignation public through a striking social media post. It featured an empty portrait frame captioned as his “official portrait for the next term of the European Commission.”

This visual metaphor underscored his sudden and unexpected departure from his role, just months after French President Emmanuel Macron had nominated him for a second term on 25th July.

In his resignation letter, Breton claimed that von der Leyen had requested France withdraw his name from consideration for the next European Commission.

He stated that this decision was made without any direct communication with him and suggested it was part of a political exchange, with France offered a more influential position in the new Commission in return. Breton’s resignation letter conveyed his discontent with the “questionable way of governing” and stated that these developments made it impossible for him to continue in his role.

The Commission’s Response
The European Commission’s response to Breton’s resignation was brief. A spokesperson confirmed that von der Leyen had accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Breton’s contributions.

As a prominent figure in the Commission, Breton had been instrumental in scaling up vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic and later in boosting Europe’s munitions production amid the conflict in Ukraine. He also played a significant role in shaping regulations for large digital companies.

Despite his contributions, the exact reasons behind von der Leyen’s decision to request Breton’s removal remain unclear. Speculation around this decision includes a potential effort to improve gender balance within the Commission by encouraging France to nominate a female candidate, although this was quickly dismissed.

The Élysée Palace announced that Breton would be replaced by Stéphane Séjourné, the outgoing Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, indicating that von der Leyen may have had other motives for Breton’s ousting.

A Clash of Personalities?
Sources within the Commission suggest that Breton’s departure may be the result of a clash with von der Leyen. Described as “arrogant and lacking loyalty” towards the Commission President, Breton had become increasingly vocal in his criticism of von der Leyen’s leadership style.

Earlier this year, he was involved in opposing the appointment of Markus Pieper, a German politician, as the “SME Envoy,” a role directly tied to Breton’s portfolio as Internal Market Commissioner. The appointment, which became known as “Piepergate,” was made without Breton’s involvement, leading to tension between him and von der Leyen.

Breton had also openly criticised von der Leyen’s re-election as the candidate for the European People’s Party (EPP) at its congress in Bucharest. While the official count reported 801 eligible voters, only 499 cast their votes, and just 400 supported von der Leyen. Breton publicly questioned the legitimacy of this outcome, challenging the narrative presented by the EPP.

The Aftermath and Political Implications
Breton’s swift replacement by Séjourné allows von der Leyen to potentially present the new structure and distribution of portfolios for the next Commission team to the leaders of the parliamentary groups. However, uncertainty remains regarding the Slovenian candidate.

Breton’s resignation highlights the complex political dynamics within the European Commission, where national interests, internal disagreements, and individual ambitions often intersect.

As for the future, Breton’s departure marks a significant moment in von der Leyen’s leadership. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to manage the diverse and often conflicting interests within the European Union’s executive branch.

Whether this move will consolidate von der Leyen’s authority or expose further divisions within the Commission remains to be seen.

Main Image: Photographer: Eric VIDAL Copyright: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP

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