Thierry Breton has resigned as European Commissioner, blaming von der Leyen’s “questionable governance”, after being snubbed during negotiations between Brussels and Paris in a move that is sure to delight his nemesis Elon Musk. Euronews has more.
Thierry Breton, the powerful European Commissioner in charge of the internal market, abruptly resigned on Monday, claiming that Ursula von der Leyen had pressured France, his home country, to submit another candidate to replace him “for personal reasons”.
Breton announced the move in a letter published on social platform X, saying he became aware of this alleged lobbying “a few days ago”, while the Commission President was putting the finishing touches to her new executive.
The Frenchman was expected to receive an important portfolio in the upcoming Commission, having been rumoured for an executive vice presidency. But in his letter, he claims Paris was promised an even loftier position in exchange for ditching his bid.
“A few days ago, in the very last stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future of the College, you asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that in no instance you have discussed directly with me – and offered, as a political trade-off, an allegedly more influential portfolio for France in the future College,” Breton writes.
“You will now be proposed a different candidate.”
Breton then says it was an “honour” to have worked the past five years as a Commissioner for the internal market “above national and party interests.”
“However, in light of these developments – further testimony to questionable governance – I have concluded that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College,” he adds. “I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately.” …
The Frenchman had acquired a strong profile in Brussels after playing a key role in the bloc’s production of COVID-19 vaccines, the industrial ramp-up to provide Ukraine with more military support and, most notably, the regulatory push to rein in the excesses of Big Tech and artificial intelligence.
But he had also become a divisive character in the city. His letter to Elon Musk in August ahead of the billionaire’s interview with Donald Trump was decried as an assault against freedom of expression and a blatant case of power overreach.
Worth reading in full.
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.