Emmanuel Macron nominates Thierry Breton for another term at European Commission

French President Emmanuel Macron has officially nominated Thierry Breton for a second term as France’s European commissioner, according to a letter to Ursula von der Leyen dated July 25.
“Thierry Breton, through his own qualities and experience, particularly during his previous term of office, has demonstrated the general competency and European commitment that will enable him to continue to independently assume the important responsibilities that you may wish to entrust to him within the College,” Macron wrote.
The document includes Breton’s resume, with mentions of his experience as the head of France Télécom (the country’s legacy telecom operator that later became Orange) and at IT heavyweight Atos.
Breton, who currently serves as the internal market commissioner, is said to be interested in an economic super-portfolio. Thanks to his track record in the defense industry as part of his current role, he could also be given the new role of defense commissioner.
Von der Leyen has asked EU members to nominate a man and a woman — unless they are sending back their current commissioner, which Macron has now done. The French president also ignored criticism from the opposition at home, who claimed it is up to the next government to pick someone to send to Brussels.