Emmanuel Macron has decided to reappoint Thierry Breton to the post of European Commissioner in the next European Union (EU) executive, due to take office on November 1. On Thursday, June 27, the French president informed the other liberal leaders – Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Council President Charles Michel – just before the meeting of European heads of state and government in Brussels on Thursday afternoon, corroborating sources told Le Monde.
Macron told them that he would announce his choice to the heads of state and government of the 26 other member states, who are meeting to, among other things, reappoint Ursula von der Leyen as head of the European Commission. Thierry Breton, who was present at the announcement, thanked the French president for his confidence.
France's situation undoubtedly played a part in this decision. For Macron, it's a question of defending his prerogatives on European policy in the event of a cohabitation, which could see Macron's presidency share power with the Rassemblement National (RN, far right) in Parliament. Recently, RN leader Jordan Bardella has said that the appointment of the French commissioner would be up to the prime minister − a claim disputed by the Elysée on the grounds that it was the "reserved domain" of the president. By announcing his choice before the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, June 30, where the RN has the lead in opinion polls, Macron is taking action regardless of election results.
By announcing his desire to reappoint Breton this week, Macron is laying the groundwork in anticipation of Ursula von der Leyen − who is likely to be reappointed − being pressured from all sides to hand over important posts. Not least by Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister, who intends to squeeze as much as she can out of her support for von der Leyen.
Paris would like to see an executive vice president of the Commission, who would be in charge of all kinds of industrial issues, from defense to digital and green technologies. For months now, the Elysée Palace has been working out the details with Breton, without guaranteeing that it would indeed be him.
"He's done the job, he's realistic and pragmatic," said Valérie Hayer, president of Macron's Renew group.
"Someone was also needed to keep on von der Leyen's back," a European source told Le Monde. The Commission president, once reappointed, could be less sensitive to France's desires in the coming months. Between the German federal elections scheduled for 2025, which could see her CDU friends return to power, and a French government that could be very weakened, or even led by the Rassemblement National, her political barometer may be more German and more to the right. Breton has shown over the last few years that he does not give von der Leyen an easy ride, even if it means annoying her. It remains to be seen what she will say, as the final decision rests with her.