EU - Q&A - (18 July 2023)

Q- Do you have any comment on Fiona Scott Morton’s decision to withdraw from consideration as chief economist at the European Commission?

A- We took note of today’s announcement by Fiona Scott Norton that she was withdrawing from consideration as chief economist of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition.

Questions raised by France, particularly by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna and Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, were not aimed at Professor Scott Morton personally but rather concerned the compatibility of her appointment with the two principles that are central to our concept of the EU: sovereignty and protecting the interests of European businesses and consumers.

In the future, we must consider the advisability of strengthening hiring rules concerning conflicts of interest for the most sensitive, strategic positions at European institutions.