Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, is in hot water for observing in a social media post the lack of enthusiasm for a second term for European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen from her parliamentary group.
In comments made last week, the Frenchman pointed out how the Commission president lacked support within the European People’s Party (EPP) group at its congress in Bucharest, where an endorsement for her second term as head of the EU’s executive was anything but persuasive.
“The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its own candidate,” the commissioner noted on X.
Breton’s remarks drew not just Brussels’ ire, but that of Paris as well.
One French official, who was granted anonymity, told Politico’s Brussels Playbook that Breton’s social media post was “a real mistake,” as it betrayed “a serious lack of political sense” and had made French President Emmanuel Macron—an avid backer of von der Leyen—“extremely angry.”
Two other senior party officials told Politico that Breton’s comment had stirred anger within Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, with one accusing the commissioner of “giving ammo to the EPP,” by which he presumably means its Les Républicains contingent, well-known for its skepticism of von der Leyen and her personal vision for the EU.
Despite their membership of the EPP group in Parliament, to Les Républicains, von der Leyen represents the bloc’s “slide into technocracy,” and that she “has continuously left the European majority drifting towards the left,” according to Les Républicains President Eric Ciotti in a March 5th letter to EPP boss Manfred Weber.
Brussels is equally spooked by this rare act of disloyalty by one of its highest-ranking officials.
Seeking to dissuade other potential troublemakers, European Commission Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone’s office circulated an email on Monday to remind commissioners not to undermine the institution which employs them.
“May I remind us all that … members of the Commission must behave with integrity and discretion … and that they shall not act or express themselves, through whatever medium, in a manner which adversely affects the public perception of their independence,” read the email, which was obtained by Politico’s Brussels Playbook.
The email also included the not-so-subtle threat that a commissioner can be removed from office “or deprived of his right to a pension” unless they “refrain from any action incompatible with their duties” under EU law.
The Commission pointed to its remarks on the subject from last Friday’s briefing, when a spokesperson said:
It is clear that this comment is a personal remark and is not made in his capacity as a commissioner. The secretary-general will send a reminder to all Commissioners about the guidelines that have been defined for the period of the political campaign that every college member must apply. We ask commissioners to exercise judgment in the application of these rules.
One EU official, again—and not surprisingly—speaking anonymously, argued that the guidelines are instead “seen as a means of silencing any criticism” of von der Leyen, though he did not say by whom.
“Breton’s trying to attract attention and notoriety, it’s clear he wants to stay on as commissioner,” said another EU official.
That official, identified as French, argued Breton’s behavior
weakens von der Leyen, while the current Commission remains in place at least until December, and the geopolitical situation does not allow for any unnecessary division. It’s a gift to Les Républicains and the Rassemblement National [part of the Identity and Democracy parliamentary group], who never stop bashing her.
Breton’s seemingly ill-advised remarks make more sense when put in the context of his considerable personal ambition.
Among Brussels insiders, it is no great secret that the shrewd Breton (who is a member of the liberal Renew Europe group) harbors a desire to become von der Leyen’s successor following June’s European elections.
As ever, watch this space.
