Thierry Breton, France’s commissioner to the European Union, shocked many with his resignation on Monday. He accused Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, of pressuring France to nominate another candidate for commissioner instead of him. This move came just a day before von der Leyen was set to announce her new team to lead the European Union’s executive arm for the next five years.
Breton’s resignation adds to the challenges that von der Leyen is already facing in forming her top team. It reflects the difficulties she has encountered in areas such as defense and the economy, particularly as the European Union deals with the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its struggling post-pandemic economy. The situation is further complicated by the political landscape in Europe, where recent elections have given more power to harder-right forces in the European Parliament and have caused divisions in countries like France and Germany.
Von der Leyen has already postponed her announcement of the 27 commissioners who will make up the European Commission. Each EU member state is given one leadership slot, with each commissioner overseeing a specific policy area. Von der Leyen had requested that member countries nominate both men and women for these roles. However, most countries initially nominated only men. Under pressure from von der Leyen, several countries have recently switched their nominations to female candidates. The only exception is Slovenia, which is currently embroiled in a domestic political dispute and has not yet named a commissioner.
This situation highlights the ongoing push for gender equality in European politics. Von der Leyen’s insistence on gender diversity among the commissioners demonstrates her commitment to promoting women’s representation in leadership positions. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done in achieving gender balance in European institutions.
Additionally, the challenges faced by von der Leyen in forming her team raise concerns about the stability and effectiveness of the European Commission. With key policy areas like defense and the economy at stake, it is crucial for the commission to have a capable and cohesive leadership team. The delay in announcing the commissioners and the unexpected resignation of a high-profile figure like Breton only add to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the European Union.
In conclusion, Thierry Breton’s resignation and his criticism of Ursula von der Leyen highlight the challenges and complexities facing the European Commission. The push for gender diversity in leadership positions, the impact of recent elections, and the ongoing political divisions in Europe all contribute to the difficulties in forming a strong and effective team. As the European Union navigates through geopolitical and economic challenges, it is crucial for its leaders to work together and address these issues for the sake of the European project.
