Large Nations Frequently Secure EU’s Coveted Single Market Role

France’s Emphasis on Internal Market Policy Sparks EU Debate

France’s focus on internal market and industry development within the European Union has often been seen as a double-edged sword. “The perception is sometimes that this French focus … is really just a cloaked way of building its own French industrial champions,” noted Nicolas Tordoir, a European policy expert. However, Tordoir was quick to add that such criticism isn’t “entirely fair” and that France’s industry-driven approach could serve as a catalyst for boosting the EU’s overall competitiveness.

Still, these policies have drawn sharp criticism, particularly during recent policy disagreements. Central and Eastern European nations strongly opposed a set of trucker reforms deemed excessively protectionist. Dubbed the “Macron law,” the reforms were criticized for favoring Western European interests at the expense of the bloc’s eastern members. Similarly, France faced backlash for its push to develop an EU Capital Markets Union. This effort was widely interpreted as a move to strengthen the Paris-based European Securities and Markets Authority, further fueling accusations of self-interest.

France’s consistent spotlight on internal market and industrial portfolios has been a defining feature in an otherwise volatile era of EU Commission reshuffles. Over the past five years, this French strategy has stood out against several emerging patterns in portfolio assignments.

For example, critical trade responsibilities have predominantly gone to smaller member states, while larger nations like France have maintained their grip on single market portfolios. Meanwhile, portfolios related to oceans and maritime affairs have largely been handed to Mediterranean nations, with Lithuania’s 2004 assignment as the only exception.

Smaller EU member states and recent joiners—such as Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovenia—tend to be assigned what are viewed as weaker or less prominent portfolios, including those focusing on development, equality, culture, multilingualism, research, crisis response, health, and social affairs. However, unpredictable events can elevate the importance of these roles. For instance, Greek Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, responsible for health, found herself thrust into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing how “weaker” portfolios can transform into critical arenas under certain circumstances.

When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her team of commissioners in September, her claim that the lineup represented a “Commission of equals” met with disappointment in several EU capitals. France’s enduring influence—even as it prompts frustration among its peers—continues to highlight the complex dynamics of portfolio distribution and power within the European Union.