Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Affairs committee (IMCO) have confirmed Thierry Breton, France’s nominee for the internal market portfolio. The coordinators of the European People's Party, the Socialists & Democrats, the European Conservatives and Reformists, and Renew Europe voted in favour of Mr Breton. His confirmation follows the committee’s hearings for French Sylvie Goulard in October, where they rejected France's first choice for the post, citing legal and ethical concerns.
In her mandate letter to Mr Breton, President-elect Ursula sets out a revised vision of the mandate for the position. Of particular relevance:
-
… enhancing Europe’s technological sovereignty. This means investing in the next frontier of technologies, such as blockchain, high-performance computing, algorithms, and data-sharing and data-usage tools. It also means jointly defining standards for 5G networks and new-generation technologies.
-
… lead the work on a coordinated European approach on artificial intelligence and on the new Digital Services Act.
-
… day-to-day functioning of the single market. I want you to focus on the implementation and enforcement of rules at the European, national, regional and local levels.
Mr Breton served as Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry in France between 2005 and 2007, under President Jacques Chirac. Since 2008, he has served as Chairman and CEO of Atos. A vote on the full Commission by a plenary session of the European Parliament is scheduled for 27 November in Strasbourg.
