the risk of weakening France

Thierry Breton handed in his resignation letter to Ursula von der Leyen on Monday, accusing her of having “disavowed” him. Known for his attacks on web giants, he was also seen as someone who mainly defended French interests, rather than European ones.

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, slammed the door of the European Commission on Monday 16 September, handing over a resignation letter rather acidic to Ursula von der Leyen. His bad relations with the President of the Commission were notorious, and he says “disavowed” because she has, he said, “asked France to withdraw its name” from the list of candidates for the Commission. The Élysée, which supported this candidacy at the end of July, proposed Stéphane Séjourné on Monday to replace him as European Commissioner.

We need to see the exact scope of the position that will be given to France in exchange for Thierry Breton’s resignation; Paris is supposed to obtain a much broader portfolio: a vice-presidency for competitiveness and sovereignty, which would encompass trade, economic security, financial services, and innovation. At least on paper…

In reality, this does not mean a strengthening of the French position in Brussels. On the contrary, we should not be mistaken. Behind this portfolio, there is a risk of a decline in French influence in Europe, because Thierry Breton was a heavyweight, who did not hesitate to oppose the President of the Commission to impose French views.

For example, on the subject of reindustrialisation, the former Commissioner worked hard to reduce the European Union’s dependence on Asia. He encouraged the creation of semiconductor gigafactories and battery factories, particularly in France. Similarly, in defence, he fought for the rise of munitions production plants. Will his successor succeed in influencing future investments, so that they take place in France rather than in Germany or Italy? Not sure.

Another important issue concerns import taxes on Chinese electric cars in Europe. Here too, France could quickly find itself marginalized compared to Spain and Germany, which are not inclined to tax Chinese cars. Despite the threat of reprisals on our exports of cognac or luxury products to China, France is rather keen. Brussels is receiving the Chinese Minister of Commerce on Thursday, September 19, and the 27 have until the end of October to validate the Commission’s project. This will be one of the first issues – and not the least – for the next Commissioner.

Then there is the whole field of digital and artificial intelligence. In these areas, France was at the origin of European laws to regulate large digital platforms. There is also the question of the European electricity market, where France, which is banking on nuclear power, is also seeking to make a unique voice heard.

Not forgetting the latest issue: land border controls, which Berlin reinstated on Monday and which promise to slow down our trade with Germany, our leading trading partner. On all these issues, France could lose, and lose big, as this position of commissioner has direct consequences on the daily lives of the French…