Thierry Breton to Le Monde: 'France's voice is less powerful' in Europe (2025)

Thierry Breton announced his resignation as European commissioner on September 16. In the wake of this move, Emmanuel Macron chose Stéphane Séjourné to succeed Jacques Chirac's former economy minister in the team that will surround Ursula von der Leyen for her second term. In an interview with Le Monde, Thierry Breton analyzes the balance of power within the new EU's executive arm, where he feels France's position is weaker and fears it is too much at the service of Germany and the European People's Party (EPP).

Can you explain the conditions of your resignation?

This is not about me but about France's role and place in Europe.

In other words?

When Ursula von der Leyen became Commission president for her first term in 2019, Emmanuel Macron, who was one of the driving forces behind her appointment, wanted France to have an important portfolio. Since Germany held the Commission presidency for the first time in over 60 years, the president wanted to ensure a French-German balance within the institution. This balance was fundamental to the European dynamic of 27 member states. It was against this backdrop that I was given responsibility for the internal market, industry (including defense, space and digital), tourism and the media.

For her second term, wasn't Ursula von der Leyen ready to give France just as much power?

I was the candidate commissioner nominated by France on July 25. In the days leading up to the presentation of her college to the European Parliament on September 17, Ursula von der Leyen made it known at the highest level that France had a choice to make. Either she would have a broad portfolio with someone other than me in the post, or, if she maintained my candidacy, she would have a more restricted portfolio. I therefore decided to withdraw in full knowledge of the facts.

So Stéphane Séjourné has been offered a wide range of responsibilities?

The answer to this question lies in the architecture of the future Commission that Ursula von der Leyen wants to set up for her second term. There will be six executive vice presidents, including Stéphane Séjourné, compared with three today. Their role has been considerably diluted. Especially as none of these six executive vice presidents has the experience of having previously held a commissioner's post. A first.

In the past, reappointed European commissioners had their portfolios strengthened, precisely because they had acquired this experience and were working in the general interest of the European Union [EU]. This time, reappointed Commissioners have been downgraded. Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis and Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic are no longer executive vice presidents. It's a fact that Ursula von der Leyen wanted a more vertical and diluted college.

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