The President of the European Commission / EC / Ursula von der Leyen has accepted the resignation of the influential French European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who left the post with immediate effect.
"The President takes note and accepts the resignation of Thierry Breton. He thanks him for his work as a Commissioner throughout the term," said a spokesperson for the EC.
France has proposed Foreign Minister Stéphane Sejourne as Breton's successor, President Emmanuel Macron's office said.
Séjournay "meets all the necessary criteria," the Elysée Palace said, citing his previous experience as head of the Renew Europe group of liberals in the European Parliament.
Séjournay should manage a department similar to that of Breton, focused on "industrial and technological sovereignty and European competitiveness," the French presidency said in a statement.
BGNES recalls that Thierry Breton accused Von der Leyen of "pressure on France" to propose another candidate in his place.
Breton made the announcement in a letter published this morning, saying he became aware of the alleged lobbying "a few days ago" while Von der Leyen was finalizing the new EC composition.
The Frenchman was expected to receive a key portfolio in the upcoming Commission, there was also talk of the post of vice-chairman.
"A few days ago, at the last moment of the negotiations on the composition of the future Commission, you asked France to withdraw my name - for personal reasons, which in no case did you discuss directly with me - and offered as a political compromise an allegedly more influential department for France in the future composition of the EC. You will now be offered another candidate," Breton wrote.
The Frenchman said he had been "honoured" to work for the past five years as internal market commissioner "above national and party interests".
"However, in the light of these events - further evidence of questionable management - I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer fulfill my duties at the Commission. I am therefore resigning from my post as European Commissioner, effective immediately." he added. | BGNES
