The Frenchman held the post of Commissioner for the Internal Market responsible for defence industries. He says he has been “disowned” by Ursula von der Leyen.
:quality(50)/2023/07/06/64a68815cd1a7_placeholder-36b69ec8.png)
Published
Updated
Reading time: 1 min
:quality(50)/2024/09/16/080-hl-mcohen-2397348-66e7d7e95135b114711145.jpg)
“I am resigning from my position as European Commissioner, with immediate effect.” Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, has announced his departure from the European Commission,in a letter published on the social network X, Monday, September 16. It is said “disavowed” by President Ursula von der Leyen who, according to him, “asked France to withdraw its name” from the list of candidates for the Commission. Thierry Breton had been officially nominated by Emmanuel Macron as France’s candidate.
Ursula Von der Leyen is currently forming the team of the European executive for a new five-year term and in the context of the war in Ukraine, she had expressed her willingness to appoint a Commissioner for Defence. In his letter, Thierry Breton addresses her explaining that without discussing with him, she has “proposed, as a political compromise, a supposedly more influential portfolio for France within the future College” commissioners. “Another candidate will be proposed to you.” by France, he added.
“In light of the latest developments, which once again demonstrate questionable governance, I must conclude that I can no longer exercise my functions within the College.”
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal MarketIn a letter on the social network X
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues in the College, the Commission services, MEPs, Member States and my team. Together, we have worked tirelessly to advance an ambitious European agenda”he wrote.