Breton Resigns, Attacks VdL's 'Questionable Governance'

The already-fraught process of putting together a new European Commission has suffered a further complication with the resignation of French Commissioner for Industry and the Internal Market Theirry Breton with immediate effect. In his resignation letter Breton, who was believed to be set for a second term in the Commission, alleged that "a few days ago" Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had asked the French gov't to withdraw its endorsement of Breton "for personal reasons" in exchange for an "allegedly more influential portfolio".

• In a fiery broadside, Breton concluded "In light of these latest developments - further testimony to questionable governance - I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College,"
• VdL was already facing a struggle in putting together her Commission. Internal ructions within the Slovenian political system have delayed Ljubljana's nomination, while disagreement between the political groups in the European Parliament has also made the nominations process a more protracted one (see 'MNI: Fight Over Jobs Delays Naming Of EU Commissioners-Sources'. 12 Sep).
• Such a public outburst from Breton risks further delays to the nomination process, with the domestic French situation - with PM Michel Barnier attempting to put together a gov't - using up all the political oxygen in Paris. The prospect of the new Commission being in place by 1 Nov, as VdL is believed to have been pushing for, is looking less and less likely. Each nominee has to attend a committee hearing before a mass vote among MEPs on the entire Commission, a potentially lengthy process.