Thierry Breton has resigned as European Commissioner, dealing a new blow to Ursula von der Leyen’s efforts to build her next team.
ADVERTISEMENTMajor surprise in Brussels: Thierry Breton, the powerful European Commissioner in charge of the internal market, has resigned, claiming that Ursula von der Leyen had pressured France, his home country, to submit another candidate to replace him.
Breton announced the move in a letter published on Monday morning, saying he became aware of this alleged lobbying “a few days ago,” while the Commission president put the finishing touches to her new executive.
The Frenchman was expected to receive an important portfolio in the upcoming Commission, having being rumored for an executive vice-presidency.
But this will be no longer.
“A few days ago, in the very last stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future of the College, you asked Fracen 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” having worked in 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.”
This is breaking news.
