I cannot say it because it’s a sort of open secret but yes, it became clear at some point that the name [of Thierry Breton] was part of the negotiation,
It says something about the decline of French influence that [they] weren’t able to impose Thierry Breton,
Did Vestager’s position as [vice president] give her power over Breton? We give [vice president] posts to those [to whom] we don’t want to give real responsibilities,
We are not going to be commenting on the remarks included in the letter,
We are in the same situation as Friday, the president hopes to be in a position to announce the College tomorrow,
I think she will [present the College on Tuesday],
So it’s a German [Ursula von der Leyen] who gives herself the right to choose who she wants or refuses to represent France at the Commission?”
Today von der Leyen forces France to give up on Breton’s nomination. There are no more limits … France (and later other countries) will have no choice but to submit again. This is a profound and irreversible fracture if France doesn’t react,
It shows her strength to kill 'powerful' Breton,
Is it possible to (re)entrust the management of Europe to the EPP for five more years
The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its candidate,
There’s never been any love lost between von der Leyen and Breton, but this EU commission composition is like a Succession/Game of Thrones mashup.”
In light of these latest developments — further testimony to questionable governance — I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College,
Over the past five years, I have relentlessly striven to uphold and advance the common European good, above national and party interests, ... It has been
A few days ago, in the very final stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name,
I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately,
You will now be proposed a different candidate,
France is not satisfied with the portfolio scope allocated to Thierry Breton,
(You) offered, as a political trade-off, an allegedly more influential portfolio for France in the future College,