Ursula von der Leyen's kick in the teeth for Macron — and why his dream could be dead
French President Emmanuel Macron - already on the ropes in his home country as political turmoil continues apace - just got another kick in the teeth in the last few days after France's EU Commissioner was essentially forced out of office by Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
There are 27 EU Commissioners from the member states, who collectively enforce EU laws in areas such as foreign affairs and economics, with von der Leyen already pushing for a more gender-balanced group.
In perhaps yet another sign that France's star is waning, Thierry Breton - appointed by Macron to serve a second term in June, and in charge of the EU single market and industrial policy - resigned, citing “questionable governance” by von der Leyen.
There was an irony that Breton resigned on X, given his image as roadblocking EU developments in the area of tech, while sparring with companies like Elon Musk's. Little wonder X's CEO -Linda Yaccarino - wrote: “It’s a good day for free speech".
In a nutshell - given the bust-up between von der Leyen and Breton, not least clashing over her appointments and with Breton criticising her right to get a second term - France was offered two choices, either have a large Commission portfolio without Breton or a smaller one with him, and with that Macron seemingly leaned on his friend.
Macron - already having turned to EU veteran and Brexit nemesis, Michel Barnier, to be France's new PM - now finds himself that little bit more isolated in Brussels, perhaps with his dreams of a "sovereign Europe" finally over.
Not wanting France to be downgraded in the Commission, Macron put forward the young Stéphane Séjourné - former foreign minister, and partner of outgoing PM Gabrial Attal - instead.
The biggest takeaway might be the declining clout of Paris within Brussels, and perhaps the breakdown in trust among member states, EU politicians and Eurocrats more broadly.
But France's loss may be Europe's gain, when it comes to technology and digitisation at least.
Aside from cementing von der Leyen's authority, Breton's exit sees the back of someone heavily associated in the minds of critics with the economic and technological decline of the EU, with the bloc already slipping behind both the US and China in terms of digital capabilities.
Breton, for instance, was responsible for the EU Artificial Intelligence Act which critics say makes it impossible to build an AI startup in the bloc, alongside a Digital Services Act which critics argue stifles free speech.
This led to a war of words with X and Elon Musk, with Breton saying the billionaire had to comply with the EU’s digital rules. Rather than building out EU tech capabilities, Breton became associated for many with a bloc stifling creativity.
For Macron and France, more broadly, this feels like another nail in the coffin when it comes to French authority in Brussels, even as it cements von der Leyen's power, further silences her critics, and perhaps aids the EU in re-energising its tech base.
The Breton affair further highlights how disjointed the EU has become, with member states pulling in different directions, not least on issues like migration as the likes of Hungary and Poland stubbornly refuse to sign up to the latest EU migration deal.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer really needs to go back to the drawing board if he believes this divided and moribund organisation can help re-energise an equally divided and moribund UK.
