Storm at the top of the European institutions: the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton , appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron for a second term, has left his post.
The announcement came in a letter published on X that follows disagreements with President Ursula von der Leyen. Letter in which the Frenchman accuses the Commission President of having asked Paris to replace his name in the negotiations for the formation of the new EU Commission. Developments that "further testify to dubious governance" and that led him to resign.
"You have asked France to withdraw my name - for personal reasons that you have not discussed with me directly in any way - and have offered France, as a political exchange, a portfolio that would be more influential. You will now be offered another candidate," Breton's resignation letter to von der Leyen reads.
"The President," a spokeswoman said, "notes and accepts" his resignation "and thanks him for the work he has done throughout his mandate, in particular for" the approval "of the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act" and other regulations relating to the digital sphere. The President still hopes "to be in a position to present the new college tomorrow, but 24 hours in politics can be a long time." The announcement of the college by von der Leyen tomorrow is therefore still subject to "confirmation," she stressed.
Meanwhile, Paris has indicated Stéphane Séjourné, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in place of Breton.
(Unioneonline/D)
