World

Commissioner Breton lashes out against EPP, raising ethical questions

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Commissioner Breton lashes out against EPP, raising ethical questions

Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the single market, has found himself in hot water after he shared a scathing post against the European People’s Party (EPP), raising ethical questions ahead of the elections.

In a short but explosive message, Breton denounced the centre-right group for failing to deliver an overwhelming endorsement to Ursula von der Leyen as lead candidate.

At the end of the EPP congress in Bucharest on Thursday, von der Leyen received 400 votes in favour and 89 against. In total, 737 delegates had voting rights and 591 registered to vote, according to the party. (The message that Breton highlighted erroneously put the number of eligible voters at 801, making von der Leyen’s victory margin seem smaller.)

“Despite her qualities, Ursula von der Leyen (was) outvoted by her own party,” Breton said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, shared on Thursday evening.

“The real question now: ‘Is it possible to (re) entrust the management of Europe to the EPP for 5 more years, or 25 years in a row?’ The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its candidate,” he also wrote.

The critical post, which is completely unrelated to Breton’s portfolio, immediately raised ethical questions, as it appeared to run counter to the Commission’s internal guidelines for participation in the elections, adopted in mid-January.

The updated rules allow Commissioners to take part in campaigns for the June elections without taking unpaid leave, as President von der Leyen and Commissioner Nicolas Schmit are doing for the EPP and the Party of European Socialists (PES), respectively.

However, the handbook imposes strict limits to draw a clear line between the activities of a person as Commissioner, which is a politically independent position, and candidate or campaigner, which is intrinsically partisan.

Among these is the obligation to “create a separate social media account for the campaign,” as von der Leyen and Schmit have already done, “and for any statement of intervention on behalf of a party or a candidate.”

Another provision prevents Commissioners from using the executive’s “human and material resources for any activities linked to the campaign.”

Asked about a potential breach of conduct, a Commission spokesperson said all members of the institutions had to “exercise judgment” when applying the rules but refused to provide a detailed assessment of Breton’s invective.

“It is clear that this comment is a personal remark and is not made in his capacity as Commissioner,” a spokesperson said on Friday afternoon.

“The Secretary-General will send a reminder to all Commissioners about the guidelines that have been defined for the period of the electoral campaign that every College member must apply.”

Thierry Breton, a Frenchman with a CEO background, was nominated for his post by President Emmanuel Macron, whose party Renaissance sits with Renew Europe, the liberal formation in the European Parliament. The official website of Renew Europe identifies Breton as a member of “our family in Europe,” together with other Commissioners like Margrethe Vestager, Věra Jourová and Didier Reynders.

Renew Europe is therefore in direct competition with the EPP and the PES for the largest share of seats in the Parliament. The liberals will present their 10-point manifesto and lead candidates on 20 March.

Although Breton has not entered the race – at least not officially – he has made no secret of his desire to stay in the next Commission. His name has been floated as Commissioner for Defence, a portfolio that von der Leyen has vowed to create if re-elected.

But the assignment of tasks depends on the president’s vision and is often influenced by personal dynamics and political considerations.

In a biting reply, Thanasis Bakolas, the EPP’s secretary general, thanked Breton for his interest in the party and pointed out the dismay prospects that liberals face, as they are projected to fall from third to fifth position.

“I know the liberals are anxious about the upcoming European elections – having no foresight, no message, no relevance,” Bakolas said on X.

“And I know that things are particularly difficult in France for Renaissance, as they are squeezed by the extremes they helped to grow by weakening the traditional centre-left & the centre-right,” he went on.

“Wish you the best in the campaign!”

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World

Venezuela releases all known American detainees after Maduro’s capture and government takeover

Published

4 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Venezuela releases all known American detainees after Maduro’s capture and government takeover

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All known American citizens being held in Venezuela have been released, the U.S. Embassy said Friday evening.

“We are pleased to confirm the release by the interim authorities of all known U.S. citizens held in Venezuela,” the embassy wrote on X. “Should you have information regarding any other U.S. citizens still detained, please contact American Citizen Services.”

No other details about the detainees were disclosed. Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department.

VENEZUELA’S DELCY RODRÍGUEZ SNAPS AT WASHINGTON, DECLARES ‘ENOUGH’ OF US INFLUENCE

Venezuelans burn a U.S. flag after the announcement of the U.S. attacks and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. government on Friday said all known Americans being detained in the country had been released. (Stringer/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Interim authorities have slowly released American detainees in the weeks since the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Both are being held in New York City on federal narco-terrorism charges.

Earlier this month, Venezuela’s interim government reported that 116 prisoners had been released, although only about 70 have been verified by the non-governmental organization Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, according to Bloomberg.

STATE DEPT CONFIRMS ‘LIMITED NUMBER’ OF PERSONNEL IN CARACAS WORKING TO RESUME VENEZUELA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores parade in a military vehicle during celebrations for Independence Day in Caracas July 5, 2025. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this month, the U.S. government announced a travel alert advising against travel to the country. Americans in the country were advised to depart immediately.

“The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid. The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela, reiterating warnings against travel to Venezuela dating to 2019. As international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately.”

The country is being run by Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former lieutenant.

This week, Rodriguez signed a law overhauling the nation’s oil sector, opening it to privatization and reversing a core policy of the socialist government that has ruled Venezuela for more than two decades.

The State Department told Fox News a “limited number” of people are working on the ground in Venezuela. (Reuters)

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On Jan. 10, President Donald Trump said American energy companies will invest $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela’s “rotting” oil infrastructure and push production to record levels.

World

Israeli forces kill 12 Palestinians across Gaza, attacks reported in Rafah

Published

5 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Israeli forces kill 12 Palestinians across Gaza, attacks reported in Rafah

Multiple attacks across the besieged enclave a day before Israel is expected to reopen the Rafah border crossing.

Published On 31 Jan 2026

At least 12 Palestinians, half of them children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since dawn, a day before the Rafah crossing is due to reopen.

An Israeli air strike on Saturday on a tent sheltering displaced people in the al-Mawasi area to the northwest of Khan Younis city killed at least seven Palestinians, including three children, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

Rafah reopening

Residents in the border town of Rafah also reported several air attacks in areas under Israeli control. Israel is due to reopen the Rafah crossing, which links Gaza with Egypt, on Sunday for the first time since May 2024.

The opening of the key entry point is part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. It was meant to open during the first phase of the ceasefire, but Israel refused to do so until the body of its last remaining captive was found.

Israel on Saturday said it would only allow a “limited movement of people” who have received security clearance by Israel to enter and exit. No aid or humanitarian supplies will be allowed to enter.

“Only those who fled during the past two years are allowed to come back,” Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud explained. “Those who are born outside the Gaza Strip are not going to be allowed to come back.”

Hamas responded to the Rafah announcement by calling for Israel to allow movement in and out of Gaza “without restrictions”, and urged it to adhere to all aspects of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed more than 71,600 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

(Al Jazeera)

World

Video: Canada’s Prime Minister Meets ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star on Red Carpet

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Press Room

Video: Canada’s Prime Minister Meets ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star on Red Carpet

new video loaded: Canada’s Prime Minister Meets ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star on Red Carpet

The actor Hudson Williams gave Prime Minister Mark Carney a fictional Canada Olympic Team fleece jacket that his character wore on “Heated Rivalry,” which has become a global phenomenon.

By Axel Boada

January 30, 2026