Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner in charge of the internal market, resigned abruptly on Monday, claiming that Ursula von der Leyen pressured France to submit another candidate to replace him for “personal reasons.” Breton, who was expected to have a significant portfolio in the upcoming Commission, accused von der Leyen of offering France a more influential position in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy. In a letter published on social media, Breton stated that he can no longer exercise his duties in the College and announced his immediate resignation.
The shock exit of Breton deals a new blow to von der Leyen’s efforts to build her new team of Commissioners, as the presentation has already been delayed due to political fights in other countries. Breton had gained a strong profile in Brussels for his role in the bloc’s production of COVID-19 vaccines, providing military support to Ukraine, and regulatory efforts on Big Tech and artificial intelligence. However, he had also faced criticism for his actions, such as a controversial letter to Elon Musk and his public criticism of the European People’s Party.
Breton’s resignation now requires France to submit a new candidate for European Commissioner and puts the Renew Europe liberal family at a loss of one of its most prominent representatives. This further complicates von der Leyen’s goal of starting her second mandate on 1 November. The delay in presenting her new team is also due to political disputes in other countries, such as Slovenia, where the opposition contested the appointment of Marta Kos as the country’s Commissioner-designate after Tomaž Vesel withdrew from the race under pressure for more female representation.
Breton’s departure highlights the challenges faced by von der Leyen in building her team, as the delicate process involves balancing gender, geography, and party politics. His resignation comes amidst a backdrop of tensions within the European Commission and raises questions about the governance and decision-making process within the institution. The repercussions of Breton’s sudden exit are likely to have wider implications for the functioning of the Commission and the dynamics between its members, particularly in light of ongoing political struggles across EU member states.
Breton’s resignation marks a significant setback for von der Leyen, who continues to face obstacles in assembling her next team of Commissioners. The departure of such a high-profile figure like Breton raises concerns about the stability and effectiveness of the European Commission, especially as it navigates through various challenges and crises, both internally and externally. The fallout from Breton’s exit is likely to reverberate across Brussels and EU member states, shaping the political landscape and future decision-making processes within the European institutions. As von der Leyen seeks to move forward with her plans for the Commission, the loss of Breton adds another layer of complexity to an already complex political environment. So, the resignation of Thierry Breton as European Commissioner highlights the challenges faced by Ursula von der Leyen in assembling her new team and navigating the political landscape within the European Union.
