When Hallstein put forward his proposals, the council was already troubled. Then-French President, Charles de Gaulle, was sceptical of the rising supranational power of the commission and accused Hallstein of acting as if he were a head of state.
As Hallstein proposed his ideas, the council had already grown concerned. The then French president, Charles de Gaulle, was doubtful about the increasing supranational influence of the commission and charged Hallstein with acting like a head of state.