Thierry Breton, the French candidate for European Commissioner, shocked many when he announced his resignation following accusations against Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. Breton claimed that von der Leyen pressured France to nominate an alternative candidate instead of him.
Breton’s unexpected departure came as a surprise to many, as he was seen as a strong contender for the position. He had been proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron and had been going through the approval process for the role. However, tensions arose when Breton accused von der Leyen of interfering in the selection process.
Von der Leyen has denied the allegations, stating that she had no involvement in the decision-making process of the French government. The European Commission has also issued a statement expressing regret over Breton’s resignation and acknowledging his strong qualifications for the position.
Breton’s resignation has left a void in the selection process for the European Commissioner role, adding to the already tumultuous political climate in Europe. The incident has raised questions about the transparency and independence of the selection process for key positions within the European Union.
As Breton’s resignation continues to make headlines, the European Commission will need to move quickly to fill the vacancy and restore confidence in the selection process. The incident serves as a reminder of the political tensions that exist within the EU and the challenges of finding consensus on important issues.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com