Paris, September 16, 2024 – The Europe Today: France’s Thierry Breton announced his immediate resignation from the European Commission on Monday, citing a disagreement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton, who served as the EU’s internal market commissioner, stated that von der Leyen had requested France to withdraw his candidacy for the upcoming executive.
In a letter addressed to von der Leyen, Breton expressed his disappointment with the request. “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,” Breton wrote. In response to this move, he made the decision to step down. “I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately,” he added in the letter, which was also posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Breton’s resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the formation of the next European Commission.
