Thierry Breton leaves the European Commission and criticizes its president Ursula von der Leyen

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.

“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 Commissionin 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.

The head of the European Commission has accepted the resignation of Thierry Breton and the “thanks for his work”said Arianna Podesta, a spokeswoman in Brussels. 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, had expressed her willingness to appoint a defence commissioner.

“A few days ago, in the final stretch of the negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that you never discussed directly with me – and proposed, as a political compromise, a portfolio supposedly more influential for France within the future College.” commissioners, writes Thierry Breton in his letter. “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 Market

in a letter on the social network X

Relations between the German leader and Thierry Breton have been notoriously tense since the latter took the lead in the spring of a revolt within the Brussels executive to contest the president’s leadership style, which was considered to be lacking in collective leadership.

The French commissioner had publicly questioned the ethics of his president after the appointment at the end of January of an envoy responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises, a highly paid post within the Commission.

“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.