Thierry Breton Resigns from European Commission Amid Dispute

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French European Commissioner Thierry Breton announced his resignation from the European Commission on Monday, citing tensions with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton, who served as the internal market commissioner, revealed that von der Leyen had asked France to withdraw his candidacy for the next Commission.

In a letter shared publicly, Breton expressed his frustration, stating that von der Leyen's decision was made for "personal reasons" that were never directly discussed with him. He also claimed that von der Leyen had offered France a different, supposedly more influential position in the next Commission as a political trade-off.

Breton, who had a reportedly strained relationship with von der Leyen during her first five-year term, concluded that the situation reflected "questionable governance" and that he could no longer fulfill his duties within the Commission. His resignation takes effect immediately, and France will now propose a new candidate for the role.