What does the appointment of Stéphane Séjourné as European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy on 17 September mean? A success for the Élysée, which is keen to secure a key portfolio in Brussels? Or, on the contrary, a sign of the failure of negotiations between Emmanuel Macron and the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who allegedly treated France as a “small country”?
Opinions differ. But one thing is certain. The spectacular resignation of the outgoing French Commissioner, Thierry Breton, on Monday 16 September has caused a lot of ink to flow in the European press. This last-minute change decided at the Élysée Palace also continues to fuel commentary today.
The wear and tear of French influence
The resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs, after a mandate of only eight months at the Quai d’Orsay, will inherit the title of “Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy”. He will be responsible for the recovery of European industry, one of the major priorities of the coming years. But, nuance Politicowe will have to see its concrete attributions to be able to estimate the area of competence behind the high-sounding title, and who will give the orders to the powerful general directorates in Brussels.
Moreover, many headlines note, it is undeniable that her appointment is the result of a tour de force by the head of the Commission, Germany.
