Power Struggles and Resignations: The Turbulent Politics of the European Commission
On Monday, the unexpected resignation of outgoing European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Thierry Breton, reignited debate within the European Union regarding Ursula von der Leyen's potential second term as President of the European Commission, along with her management style in political relations. The focus has shifted to von der Leyen's approach to constructing a new Commission after her confirmation in July, which concluded with the announcement of the final composition on Tuesday.
Breton, who had been re-nominated by France for a second term as Commissioner, cited von der Leyen's request for French President Emmanuel Macron to withdraw his name for unspecified personal reasons as the reason for his resignation. In what appears to be a strategic maneuver, she allegedly offered France additional powers for a new Commissioner in exchange for Breton's exit. Neither the Commission nor von der Leyen has commented publicly on Breton's allegations. However, several reports from European political news sources, such as Politico, seem to corroborate Breton's claims, indicating von der Leyen actively sought his exclusion from the new Commission.
This incident has led many to interpret it as a signal of von der Leyen's intention to consolidate power within the EU while eliminating her prominent critics. Breton's influence as a key member of the outgoing Commission made him an important figure, and he had openly expressed concerns about von der Leyen's leadership. Their relationship reportedly deteriorated significantly in recent times, culminating in the resignation.
In his resignation letter, Breton articulated that the recent events spotlighted questionable governance practices by von der Leyen. Her first term saw her gain a reputation for centralizing authority, relying on a select group of trusted advisors and creating barriers for others to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.
Considering the circumstances, reappointing Breton and empowering him could have posed a challenge to von der Leyen’s authority, opening the door for serious discussions on the direction of policy within the Commission. French President Macron reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Breton’s existing mandate, advocating for a broader and more influential role in the next legislative term, potentially considering the title of Executive Vice President for the French Commissioner.
However, Breton was not alone in facing non-reappointment; outgoing High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Spanish Josep Borrell, who publicly criticized von der Leyen's handling of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, was also excluded from the new Commission. Similarly, Luxembourg's Nicolas Schmit, outgoing Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, and Integration, faced the same fate.
This pattern of sidelining critics has been noted, as in April 2023, Borrell, Schmit, and Breton, alongside Italy's outgoing Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, criticized the appointment of MEP Markus Pieper as the Union's special envoy for small and medium enterprises—a selection made by von der Leyen that raised concerns about transparency and impartiality.
Additionally, media reports suggest that Frans Timmermans, the former Commissioner for Climate and Executive Vice President of the Commission for the European Green Deal, experienced marginalization, albeit in a different context. His resignation in August 2023 to pursue a failed bid for the prime ministership in the Netherlands reflected discontent within the Union, particularly as he faced resistance from von der Leyen’s party, the European People's Party (EPP), regarding ambitious climate policies. Timmermans had been an advocate for the EU's climate goals encapsulated in the Green Deal, but post-resignation, the EPP's criticism continued without von der Leyen's defense of him.
As political tensions mount within the European Commission, the implications of Breton's resignation and the exclusion of other significant figures could potentially reshape the Commission's influence in European politics and policy-making. The foundation of a new Commission under von der Leyen raises questions on governance, transparency, and the strategic management of power dynamics at a critical juncture for the EU.
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