EU rocked as powerful figure QUITS after being knifed by Ursula von der Leyen
A leading French member of the EUs executive branch resigned on Monday, calling into question the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as she tries to assemble a new team for the next five years.
A leading French member of the EUs executive branch resigned on Monday, calling into question the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as she tries to assemble a new team for the next five years.
Thierry Breton, a French business executive and commissioner for the EUs vast internal market who recently clashed with tech billionaire Elon Musk, suggested von der Leyen had gone behind his back to get another French official named in his place to the next commission.
In a post on social media platform X containing his resignation letter, Breton said that von der Leyens move was further testimony to questionable governance - I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College.
Breton clashed with von der Leyen last month over his go it alone approach, taking on Elon Musk over his amplification of harmful content online without seeking permission from the Commission President.
Breton (L) quit suddenly on Monday, criticising von der Leyens (R) questionable governance
Thierry Breton last month clashed with Elon Musk ahead of his interview with Donald Trump
The commission proposes legislation for the 27 EU member countries and ensures that the rules governing the worlds biggest trading bloc are respected.
Its made up of a College of commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security or migration policy.
With an eye to keeping a gender balance within the commission for her second term at the helm, von der Leyen had asked each member country to supply the name of a male and female candidate for policy commissioner.
Most only proposed one candidate, often a man.
The commission chief, a former German defense minister, has been pressuring smaller countries to change their minds.
In recent weeks, a man who was the preferred candidate of the government in Slovenia withdrew and a woman was proposed in his place.
Von der Leyen decides which country gets which portfolio, and some of them, like those involving trade or finance or EU enlargement, are coveted by certain countries.
Plum jobs like the post of vice president - the commission has seven of these - are also much sought after.
Breton suggested that he was a victim of these political machinations.
A few days ago, in the very final stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France 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, he wrote in his resignation letter.
You will now be proposed a different candidate, he said.
It was not immediately clear who French President Emmanuel Macron might name in his place.
Macrons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Acting last month without von der Leyens approval, Breton took to X to warn Musk of possible amplification of harmful content by broadcasting an interview with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Mr Musk hit back at the EU official by sharing an expletive-laden meme from the Tropic Thunder film
In his warning to Mr Musk, Mr Breton made reference to the recent riots in Britain. There are concerns the disorder was whipped up by online misinformation on sites such as X
In any case, nothing is set in stone. The commission nominees must still pass a grilling in the European Parliament to take office.
Breton has irritated some in the commission with his go-it-alone approach.
Acting last month without von der Leyens approval, he took to X to warn Musk of possible amplification of harmful content by broadcasting an interview with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Musk, who owns the social media platform, posted a derogatory reply.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung urged the EU to mind their own business instead of trying to meddle in the U.S. Presidential election.
