A powerful French member of the European Union’s executive branch resigned in a fiery letter on Monday, accusing his boss, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of undermining him.
Thierry Breton had been nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron for a second term as the bloc’s internal market commissioner in Brussels. However, Breton unexpectedly pulled the plug, accusing von der Leyen of going behind his back to try to convince Macron to ditch him.
“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,” Breton wrote, in a scorching message to von der Leyen on X.
The shock resignation comes a day before the commission president was expected to unveil the makeup of the College of Commissioners, which she wants to be more gender-balanced. Smaller EU members, including Slovenia and Romania have withdrawn male candidates under pressure from von der Leyen, replacing them with women, according to Politico.
“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,” Breton continued.
“I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately.”
Breton went on to accuse von der Leyen of having offered France a more influential portfolio if Macron were to switch candidates, a tactic she has reportedly tried with smaller EU member countries.
Tensions between Paris and Brussels over France’s potential portfolio in the next European Commission have reportedly been rising over the past days. “France is not satisfied with the portfolio scope allocated to Thierry Breton,” a senior French official from Macron’s party told Politico, before addressing rumors that Italy’s commissioner designate would get a coveted economics job.
Breton and von der Leyen are believed to have clashed repeatedly, both in private and in public, during the last five years.