French EU commissioner resigns after attacking leadership of von der Leyen

Thierry Breton said Ms von der Leyen’s move was 'further testimony to questionable governance — I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College [of Commissioners]'. Picture: Virginia Mayo/AP

An influential French member of the European Union’s powerful executive branch has resigned, calling into question the leadership of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen just as she tries to assemble a new team for the next five years.

Thierry Breton, a French business executive and commissioner for the EU’s vast internal market who recently clashed with tech billionaire Elon Musk, suggested that Ms von der Leyen had gone behind his back to get another French official named in his place to the next commission.