Media: France’s influence in EU weakens

The resignation of Thierry Breton, the French-born European Commissioner for Internal Market, highlights the weakening of France's influence within the EU leadership. 

"The fact that the French were unable to keep Breton in his post testifies to their loss of influence. Despite Breton's resignation, Paris failed to strengthen its representative's position within the European Commission partly due to the weakened positions of French President Emmanuel Macron following his party's poor performance in the European Parliament elections,” Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

French former Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné nominated to replace Breton will have less control over the European Commission's resources than his predecessor. Séjourné is likely to play a chief coordinator role rather than to be a central figure in the Commission. On September 16, Commissioner Breton announced his resignation due to disagreements with Ursula von der Leyen's actions.

As the politician explained, a few days earlier, Ursula von der Leyen had asked the French officials to withdraw his candidacy for the new European Commission lineup. Breton stated that the reshuffle was motivated by "personal reasons that von der Leyen did not discuss with him." Later, AFP, citing the Élysée Palace, reported that President Macron proposed Séjourné as a candidate to replace Breton as EU  Commissioner.

By Naila Huseynova