Macron furious after French commissioner blasts von der Leyen

Thierry Breton’s social media swipe at his boss, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has landed him in hot water — including with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Breton, the European internal market commissioner, publicly questioned the lackluster support von der Leyen received from her own European People’s Party (EPP) group last week at its congress in Bucharest. Von der Leyen failed to get an overwhelming endorsement in her bid for a second term as head of the EU’s executive arm, according to Politico.

“The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its own candidate,” the French commissioner posted on social media last week.

One French official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal dynamics, told POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook that Breton’s post was “a real mistake,” arguing it betrayed “a serious lack of political sense” and made Macron “extremely angry.”

Breton — a supporter of Macron — stirred anger widely within the president’s centrist Renaissance party, two senior party officials told POLITICO, with one accusing the commissioner of “giving ammo to the EPP.”

Now, the Brussels administration is upset too.

On March 11, European Commission Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone’s office circulated an email 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 a reminder that a commissioner can be removed from office “or deprived of his right to a pension” if they don’t “refrain from any action incompatible with their duties” under EU law.

The Commission did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.

One EU official, who like others quoted was granted anonymity to speak candidly, argued that the guidelines are “seen as a means of silencing any criticism” of von der Leyen.

“Breton’s trying to attract attention and notoriety, it’s clear he wants to stay on as commissioner,” said another EU official.

The French official argued Breton’s behaviour “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 [far-right party] RN, who never stop bashing her.”

Von der Leyen’s 2019 accession to the head of the European Commission came with crucial support from Macron, which has made her a target for criticism from the French conservatives and far right.

For example, France’s main conservative party Les Républicains disavowed von der Leyen even though it is a member of the EPP group in Parliament. Von der Leyen represents the EU’s “slide into technocracy,” Les Républicains President Eric Ciotti wrote in a letter to the EPP’s boss, Manfred Weber.