Breton goes in spat with VdL

France’s European commissioner, Thierry Breton, has resigned, following a spat with newly re-elected EC president Ursula von der Leyen.

VdL is currently forming her new Commission and Emmanuel Macron, had appointed Breton to serve a second term as EU commissioner but VdL asked the French government to withdraw his name.

This is his resignation letter (click to expand):

With a touch of French elan Breton announced his resignation onTwitter showing a picture of a blank picture frame captioned: “Breaking news: my official portrait for the next European Commission term.”

Former French foreign minister Stephane Sejourn has been put forward to be France’s new Commissioner.

Slovenia and Romania have withdrawn male candidates under pressure from von der Leyen, replacing them with women.