France Nominates Stéphane Séjourné as European commissioner

French President Emmanuel Macron has nominated outgoing foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné as the country’s next European Commissioner, following the abrupt resignation of Thierry Breton.

The move comes as France seeks to secure a key European portfolio related to “industrial and technological sovereignty” and “European competitiveness,” according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.

The decision, made in consultation with newly-appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier, highlights Séjourné’s qualifications. He is currently chair of Macron’s centrist Renew Europe group in the European Parliament and has served as France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, positioning him as a strong candidate for the influential role.

Earlier on Monday, Thierry Breton, who has served as European Commissioner for the Internal Market since 2019, withdrew his bid for a second term, citing personal reasons and alleging undue pressure from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Breton claimed that von der Leyen attempted to sideline his candidacy in exchange for a political trade-off, raising concerns about the governance of the European Commission.

Breton’s accusations sparked backlash in France, with even political rivals of Macron, including Fabien Roussel of the French Communist Party, calling von der Leyen’s actions “scandalous.” Roussel accused the Commission President of undermining France’s sovereignty, reflecting the political tensions surrounding Breton’s departure.

Von der Leyen has recently advocated for greater gender balance in the Commission, reportedly urging smaller EU member states to propose both male and female candidates for the next round of Commissioners. While it remains unclear whether this push influenced France’s decision to nominate Séjourné, the situation has added further complexity to the ongoing formation of the next EU executive.

Breton’s unexpected resignation has also contributed to wider complications in the European Commission’s appointment process. Slovenia’s nominee, Marta Kos, is yet to receive formal approval, leaving the portfolio allocations in limbo. Despite the mounting uncertainties, a spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that von der Leyen intends to meet with political leaders in the European Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the composition of the new team.

With Séjourné now in the running, France is positioning itself for continued influence within the EU, though political hurdles may delay the final confirmation of the new Commissioners, which had been initially slated for early November.