French President Emmanuel Macron cut loose his outspoken commissioner to the European Union, Thierry Breton, in a bid to secure a more influential role for his country in Brussels.Breton had been a key figure in the current commission and as internal market chief he helped ensure that Macron had a hand in shaping the EU’s response to the growing power of US tech giants.

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed Stephane Sejourne, the outgoing foreign minister and close ally, to replace Thierry Breton as the EU commissioner. Breton announced his resignation from the Commission and stated he would not be a candidate for the next EU executive body.