The former Atos and Orange CEO Thierry Breton has passed his hearing at the European Parliament to become a European Commissioner. He will be the first CEO to sit on the Commission, with the portfolio of internal market, industrial policy and digital affairs, Le Monde reports.
Breton acknowledged in the hearing that there was some crossover between his new and old jobs but said he was in complete compliance with the EU's code of conduct. All of his shares in Atos were sold, for around EUR 45 million, and he has resigned from all board positions.
France's previous candidate for the job Sylvie Goulard was rejected by MEPs due to presumed conflicts of interest.
Breton's position must still be confirmed by the group presidents in parliament and a full vote for the Commission as a whole on 27 November.
