Former Minister of the Economy, once CEO of Atos, Breton has held this Brussels position since 2019. With this broad portfolio, he has established himself as a key figure in the European executive on issues related to tech.
President Emmanuel Macron wants Thierry Breton to be reappointed as a French member of the European Commission and announced this at a meeting of his liberal allies in Brussels on Thursday ahead of a summit of the Twenty-Seven, according to European sources. At a press briefing after the European summit, Emmanuel Macron explained that the French commissioner’s proposal would come later. “Formally, France will propose a new commissioner to the President of the Commission in due time”he said.
Asked about Thierry Breton, he was careful to point out that he had “experience and qualities for”. The EU heads of state and government chose Thursday evening to reappoint German Ursula von der Leyen as head of the Commission. This will still have to be confirmed in a vote in the European Parliament. Since 2019, Thierry Breton has held the position of Commissioner for the Internal Market, a vast portfolio that includes digital and industry. He has established himself as a figure in the Brussels executive by tackling the abuses of power of the tech giants.
”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>
The European issue of Sunday’s vote
Each EU country is called upon to propose its choice for one of the 27 positions within the executive. The French president’s comments in favour of Thierry Breton come three days before the first round of the legislative elections in which the far-right opposition (National Rally, RN) is widely expected to be ahead. The RN has laid the foundations for a showdown over the appointment of the French commissioner in the event of cohabitation between the head of state, in office until 2027, and a possible prime minister from its ranks.
Announced as future head of the French government in the event of an absolute majority for his party, Jordan Bardella has made known, in this scenario, his intention to appoint the future representative of France to the European Commission. The Élysée has another reading of the institutions and claims a purely presidential prerogative. “He will not let go of the French commissioner”a regular visitor of the president told AFP, while other relatives recognize legal vagueness in the matter.
