French European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton resigned by posting a picture of his statement to EC chief Ursula von der Leyen on social network X on Monday.
In the letter, Mr. Breton said Ms. von der Leyen had asked France “a few days ago” to withdraw his candidacy for the Commission “for personal reasons” in exchange for an “allegedly more influential portfolio.”
Mr. Breton, a former businessman, was EU commissioner for industry and the internal market during her first term, overseeing many of the bloc’s most important policies, from industrial weapons to Big Tech regulation. Mr. Breton said in the letter:
“In light of these latest developments – further testimony to questionable governance – I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues in the College, Commission services, MEPs, Member States, and my team. Together, we have worked tirelessly to advance an ambitious EU agenda. It has been an honour & privilege to serve the common European interest.”
His statement comes as Ms. von der Leyen is finalising the list of commissioners following this summer’s EU elections. It was due to be drawn up last week but was postponed due to ongoing discussions.
Each EU member state will have one seat at the Commission table, although their political weight and importance varies greatly from portfolio to portfolio.
Irish Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath does not know what portfolio he will have in the next Commission. Representatives of the French Presidency and Ms. von der Leyen’s office were not immediately available for comment.
