Emmanuel Macron is plotting to replace Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, in a move that has sent shockwaves through Brussels.
The French President is reported to be in talks with other EU leaders about possible alternatives to the German politician.
Mario Draghi – the former president of the European Central Bank – has been touted as a possible contender to fill her shoes.
Macron believes that von der Leyen has “over-politicised” her role and wants to see a less controversial and technocratic candidate in the EU Commission’s top job.
Several EU leaders are also said to be deeply dissatisfied with the German’s performance as president.
In particular, they are unhappy with the way she has handled trade negotiations, climate transformation and the EU’s relations with the US.
Last month Macron publicly admonished the Commission President in a speech in Brussels.
He said: “The commission presidency is there to defend the general interest, so it must not be over-politicised.
“Which, it has to be said, was not at all the case with this outgoing commission.”
Sources in Brussels told Bloomberg they were unsure whether Macron would see his threat through.
They suggested the French President may be trying to exert pressure on von der Leyen in an attempt to extract concessions from her.
Most believed no final decision would be taken on her position until after the European elections on June 9.
Von der Leyen has also recently faced sharp criticism from MEPS, who accused her of cronyism over her attempt to appoint a close political ally to a lucrative European Commission post.
She nominated Markus Pieper, a colleague from her Christian Democratic Party, to the position of Small Business Envoy.
The post comes with an eye-watering remuneration package of €20,000-a-month.
However MEPS voted overwhelmingly 382 to 144 to overturn the appointment earlier this month.
