Why Thierry Breton’s surprise resignation is a symbol of the power play between Ursula von der Leyen and the member states

The President of the European Commission is due to present her new team to MEPs on Tuesday.

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Former European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Berton, during a press conference in Brussels (Belgium), March 16, 2023. (KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

A shock decision. European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton slammed the door of the European Commission on Monday, September 16. The former French Minister of the Economy explained his decision in a letter addressed to President Ursula von der Leyen and broadcast on X. The letter, with its scathing tone, is an unusual exercise in the policed ​​world of European politics. Especially since it even goes so far as to accuse the German of “questionable governance”Although the Elysée Palace was quick to react, announcing a few hours later that it was proposing the resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, for the post of commissioner, the event is nonetheless unprecedented.

What on earth got into Thierry Breton? Highly publicized, the man who had been proposed by Emmanuel Macron for a second term was known in particular for his attacks on web giants and his defense of European industry. “This decision is not very surprising, because the relations between Ursula von der Leyen and Thierry Breton were not very “good,” Sophie Pornschlegel, director of studies for the Jacques Delors Institute in Brussels, stressed to franceinfo. The Frenchman had thus openly criticized the governance of the German president during the campaign for the European elections on June 9. Relations between von der Leyen and Breton were notoriously execrable”confirms Horizons MEP Nathalie Loiseau.

“It was a risky bet that he would run for commissioner.”

Nathalie Loiseau, Horizons MEP

to franceinfo

The European leader was sometimes criticised for his way of communicating, made up of flashes of brilliance on social networks, but also for his tendency “to be perceived as someone defending mainly French interests, rather than European ones”adds Sophie Pornschlegel. The tensions between the president and her commissioner are evident in Thierry Breton’s resignation letter. The Frenchman accuses the German leader of having proposed his replacement “pfor personal reasons that you have never discussed directly with [lui]“.This is highly unusual and a direct affront to Ursula von der Leyen’s style of governance, which she considers not to be collective enough.”summarizes the director of studies for the Jacques Delors Institute in Brussels.

“I have taken note of and accepted the resignation of Thierry Breton. I thank him for his work during his term as Commissioner,” Ursula von der Leyen spoke on X on Monday evening.

Beyond the relationship between the two politicians, Thierry Breton’s resignation highlights Ursula von der Leyen’s difficulties in putting together the cast of her new Commission. Re-elected as its head in July, she must present the names and portfolios of the 27 new commissioners (one for each member state) to the European Parliament group leaders on Tuesday. An exercise that is a balancing act, revealing the weight of the member states, the political forces and the orientations of the European executive.

The president’s authority had been called into question during the summer. Her request to Member States to send her two names, one man and one woman, remained a dead letter. As a result, the promise of a joint college of commissioners has vanished, undermining the Conservative leader’s word.

Was Thierry Breton’s resignation an attempt to regain control? In his letter, the former commissioner claims that the head of the European executive “asked France to withdraw” his name and and proposed, as a political compromise, a supposedly more influential portfolio for France within the future college”For her part, Ursula von der Leyen was content to thank Thierry Breton “for his work”via a press release from his spokesperson. “It is in her best interest to have a college of commissioners who work well together, which was not always the case in 2019.”analyzes Sophie Pornschlegel.

The case is also symbolic of a struggle between the Member States and the President of the Commission, the latter accused of having taken too much of the spotlight during her first term. Socialist MEP Christophe Clergeau thus described on X as “snub for Emmanuel Macron” the resignation of Thierry Breton. “It is worrying for France’s influence in Europe”Nathalie Loiseau is alarmed. National Rally MEP Mathilde Androuët deplores to franceinfo Ursula von der Leyen’s influence on Emmanuel Macron”considering that she “dictates its choices to national executives”.

While several voices, including the Green MEP Marie Toussaint sur X, called on the French president to propose a woman for the post of commissioner, the head of state finally designated the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné. Proof that Emmanuel Macron does not want to be dictated to by Ursula von der Leyen? “What is certain is that he is one of his close friends.”notes Sophie Pornschlegel. This choice “allows Emmanuel Macron to maintain influence in Brussels and therefore in France too”summarizes a Macronist deputy to France Télévisions, who notes that the head of the Quai d’Orsay “get along well” with the President of the Commission.

The former chairman of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament is an expert on European institutions. It is a form of evidence, he is a convinced European and has talents in negotiation and diplomacy”notes MEP and current head of Renew Europe Valérie Hayer, speaking to franceinfo.

It remains to be seen what portfolio the head of French diplomacy will obtain. “This is what matters above all and I think we can be confident about what will be proposed to France and the confirmation of its influence”hopes Valérie Hayer. “He will be an important figure in the new team”predicts analyst Mujtaba Rhaman on X.

In France, Thierry Breton’s resignation immediately triggered a wave of questions about a potential participation in the government, which the new Prime Minister Michel Barnier must announce by the end of the week. While Matignon is refraining from any comment, “Michel Barnier and [Thierry Breton] get along well”however, underlines a deputy Ensemble to France Télévisions. “No doubt Thierry Breton has found a landing elsewhere,” a Macronist MEP guesses to franceinfo.


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