A French member of the European Commission resigns and criticizes President von der Leyen

Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — An influential French member of the European Union’s powerful executive branch has resigned. Thierry Breton posted his resignation letter on social media on Monday. He called into question the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton’s resignation comes just as von der Leyen is trying to assemble a new team for the next five years. Breton is commissioner for the EU’s vast internal market who recently clashed with tech billionaire Elon Musk. Breton suggested that von der Leyen had gone behind his back to get another French official named in his place to the next commission. President Emmanuel Macron has nominated French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in Breton’s place.