Thierry Breton, the French Commissioner, triumphed over EU Internal Market Chief Ursula von der Leyen for the post of EU representative for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
This victory, announced on Tuesday, establishes a key role for Breton in opposing a contentious appointment backed by the European Commission President.
Breton’s resistance was founded on safeguarding SMEs’ interests, pivotal to the EU’s economic health. His win reflects his dedication to seeing SMEs prioritized in EU policy talks and decisions.
In the context of his new role, EU politics witness a shift with growing emphasis on supporting SMEs.
Breton’s approach was summed up in his emphasis on transparency, teamwork, and merit in decision-making. He aims for a swift appointment of a new SME representative, with clear communication and a bias-free selection based purely on capability.
Breton’s victory in EU SME representative role
Despite conflicting standpoints in the ongoing European election campaign, French President Emmanuel Macron defends Breton. Macron deems a diverse opinion environment crucial for effective governance.
Opponents denounce Breton’s defiance of established protocols as disrespectful, creating a challenging dynamic within the EU’s complex structure.
With the European election results in sight, the impact of Breton’s outspoken views on his EU Commission status remains uncertain.
The chosen SME envoy candidate, Markus Pieper, resigned before his expected start amid resistance from the Commission and the European Parliament, despite having signed the contract.
This caused a shift to two potential replacements, both experienced women who scored higher in assessments but were skeptically compared to Pieper’s long-held Parliament influence.
The Commission and the Parliament hesitated to hastily appoint a new SME envoy for fear of repeating the heated controversy.
This sparked debates on who was a better fit for the role, considering the potential benefits of diversity and representation. The debates resulted in a temporary diversion of the role’s responsibilities until a final decision.
Voicing her dissent against von der Leyen’s perceived bias in the appointment process, Breton responded to Pieper’s accusations of political opposition by insisting that he was maintaining democratic principles. This heightened the tension between the two.
In the controversy’s aftermath, both parties highlighted the importance of cooperation and mutual respect in the smooth functioning of the EU administration.
After this entire episode, significant changes to the Commission’s future appointment procedures are anticipated. The drive to make selection practices more transparent and accountable might pave the way for reforms designed to curb such disagreements.
