When Thierry Breton first floated the idea of becoming European Commission president, not even he seemed to take the idea very seriously,
Politico reports.
“I may be able to consider a new Plan B assignment,” the internal market commissioner replied with a smile, when asked at a POLITICO event whether he wanted the top job, prompting laughter.
But as the European Parliament election draws closer, Breton’s “Plan B” pitch to take over leadership of the EU executive is coming into greater focus.
A former minister and tech CEO who was France’s second choice for European commissioner, Breton amassed a vast amount of power within the Berlaymont building where the commissioners sit, putting his stamp on everything from COVID vaccines to artillery shells for Ukraine’s war effort to enforcement of the EU’s digital rules. His job — overseeing the hallowed single market of the 27 EU member countries — is one of the most critical portfolios in Brussels, and previous occupants of the post have included former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and heavyweight French conservative politician Michel Barnier.
Now, Breton looks poised to grab even more clout as his main rival inside the Commission, the more economically liberal Danish antitrust czar Margrethe Vestager, eyes a new role heading up the European Investment Bank (EIB).
While being powerful in the Commission is no guarantee of becoming its leader — he would need backing from all of Europe’s leaders, plus the confirmation of Parliament — Breton is doing everything he can to make himself look unavoidable for the next five years, according to numerous Commission officials and political aides who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential deliberations. That included using his influence to help block the appointment of U.S. economist Fiona Scott Morton to a senior advisory role in the EU executive.
And while von der Leyen remains the most plausible “Plan A” answer to heading the EU executive after the 2024 elections, growing uncertainty around her intentions means opening the field to other contenders — including Breton.
“It’s obvious that Breton wants this job,” said a senior political aide. “In fact, it’s becoming more obvious every day.”
The prospect of having Breton as Commission president is sure to be unnerving to smaller EU countries who fear he could be an agent for France.
