A few hours after the surprise announcement of Thierry Breton’s resignation (see other news), reactions in the EU digital sector were still sporadic.
Several interest groups and industry associations, such as Digital Europe and DOTEurope, did not issue any official statement, preferring to wait for the official distribution of portfolios in the next Commission before expressing their views on the future of EU digital policy.
France Digitale, which represents dozens of start-ups and investors, said it was “surprised by the announcement”: “The European innovation ecosystem, both entrepreneurs and investors, has greatly appreciated the efforts made (by Thierry Breton) to bring about the emergence of European tech champions who respect our values, through key regulations such as the DSA and the DMA”, says the association.
Although Stéphane Séjourné, a former French Minister for Europe, has been appointed by the Elysée Palace to replace Thierry Breton, there is still no guarantee that he will take over from the outgoing Commissioner. “We hope that he will be able to keep a strategic portfolio, in line with that held by Mr Breton”, France Digitale stressed.
As Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton was one of the leading figures in the previous College of Commissioners, having championed emblematic laws regulating major platforms (Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, Regulation on AI).
He has taken a hard line against the abuses of the tech giants, going so far as to publicly oppose Elon Musk. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)