It’s the big day for Stéphane Séjourné.
The former French foreign minister is set to face members of the European Parliament today as he vies to become the European Commission’s executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy. It’s one of the most powerful positions on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s new team.
Séjourné was named France’s candidate after the dramatic ouster of Thierry Breton, whose bombastic and flamboyant style wore down his welcome with von der Leyen. However, serious questions remain as to whether Séjourné has the political chops to succeed in such a high-profile role.
Competition is expected to be a key part of today’s hearing. In his written answers to questions from the European Parliament, Séjourné said that the he is committed to thoroughly assessing the Commission’s rules aimed at combating unfair trade practices amid stiff — and sometimes state-subsidized — competition from China and the United States.
We’ll be bringing you all the live action from 2:30 p.m. CET on Nov. 12.
Background reading:
If you want to follow more action from the hearings, our reporters will be bringing you blow-by-blow updates from all 26 commissioner interviews here.