French EU Commissioner Thierry Breton Resigns: 'Dubious Governance'

brussels - The sudden resignation is related to the distribution of posts within the new European Commission.

Thierry Breton was re-nominated as a candidate EU Commissioner by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, Breton's resignation letter reveals that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked Macron to put forward another candidate 'for personal reasons.' Breton was unaware of this decision and felt undermined by his European boss.

As a political compromise, France was supposed to receive a more influential position within the new European Commission. For Breton, the situation was the reason for his immediate resignation. He referred to it as 'dubious governance' in his letter.

It's an open secret in Brussels that Breton and Von der Leyen have had a strained relationship. Following Von der Leyen's election as the face of the European Christian Democrats in the European elections, the Frenchman strongly criticized her publicly.

Von der Leyen plans to present the new European Commission on Tuesday. It remains uncertain whether the presentation can proceed now that France, one of the most powerful EU member states, must propose a different candidate. However, there are rumors circulating that Paris might introduce a new name on Monday afternoon. The Netherlands has nominated former Deputy Prime Minister Wopke Hoekstra as a candidate.