France: Macron’s poker game for EU Commissioner post snubs the country

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Radio France calls what has happened in Brussels in recent days a “psychodrama”. They are referring to the resignation of the French EU Commissioner Thierry Breton – or rather, his expulsion. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, got rid of the Frenchman, who is known for his stubbornness, in order to get rid of her harshest critic, according to the French interpretation. This also includes: Germany is once again proving its dominance in the EU and snubbing France.

So what happened? At the end of July, everything seemed to be in order: as expected, French President Emmanuel Macron had nominated his current EU Commissioner Breton for another five years. Ursula von der Leyen is not the one who decides on the member states’ candidates, but she can reject proposals. She evidently needed to speak out on this personnel issue. And so, behind Thierry Breton’s broad shoulders, the chair was being sawed off.

An outburst of anger – and harsh criticism from France

It is now being reported that Breton’s departure was sealed days ago, apparently negotiated between von der Leyen and Macron. With his departure last Monday, Thierry Breton had thus merely anticipated his forced departure. Von der Leyen wanted to get rid of him “for personal reasons,” Breton fumed in his statement. Without having discussed “these reasons directly” with him. This was “dubious governance.” A veritable outburst of anger. And harsh criticism.

Thierry Breton, 69, was Minister of Economic Affairs under Jacques Chirac and a highly decorated corporate manager. A true alpha male, and someone with whom you never really know what is greater: his wealth or his ego. His uncompromising attitude earned him the reputation of a monster in France – especially because he once had the former state-owned company France Télécom under his belt. In his role as EU Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, which he interpreted in many different ways, Breton represented France’s interests no less timidly, which in turn went down quite well.

Many recently saw him as a necessarily brutal bulwark for French industrial policy in Europe – and as someone who keeps an eye on the power-conscious German Ursula von der Leyen. The fact that she was able to persuade Macron to withdraw the busy Frenchman is being interpreted as a sign of weakness on the part of the president: Apparently, Madame von der Leyen is now even dictating who France sends to Brussels!

No cordial relationship

But this is no secret either: the relationship between the Commission President and Thierry Breton has never been particularly cordial. The Frenchman openly speculated on her position. He took a dig at the European People’s Party, of which the CDU is a member, and directly at von der Leyen: Not even her own party supported her renewed candidacy, he joked in the spring. In August, Breton caused a stir by accusing the X boss of The platform must not distribute potentially harmful content in the EU. Breton, among others, came up with the corresponding directive. Too much self-promotion? Too much uncontrollable temperament?

Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen could have solved the problem quite elegantly. The Commission President is known to want to increase the proportion of women in her Commission. But as is the case with women in leadership positions: theoretically everyone wants them – but when a job actually becomes available, people prefer to suggest a good friend. Unfortunately, France’s President was also unable to find a female candidate for the Commission. Although that will be difficult for him: apart from his wife Brigitte, Macron’s circle of trusted friends now consists almost exclusively of men.

Of course, he had a few female ministers and even a female head of government in Elisabeth Borne. But his once very mixed movement “En Marche” has more or less shrunk to a boys’ club. Stéphane Séjourné was part of this from the beginning. He will now replace Thierry Breton. Another personnel decision that is raising eyebrows in France: the fact that Macron’s party leader Séjourné was also recently Foreign and European Minister was hardly noticed in the country – he carried out his job so discreetly.

The uncomfortable and loud Breton will be replaced by a reserved confidant of Macron – in the end, this should be a choice that pleases both: Ursula von der Leyen and France’s president.