Paris (AFP)

The Secretary of State for European Affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, on Sunday welcomed the "very clear" choices of Thierry Breton who has already resigned from the presidency of the group Atos, before being confirmed to the European Commission.

"Thierry Breton made very clear and radical choices to recreate confidence," said Mme de Montchalin, guest of the "Grand Rendez-vous" of Europe1 / CNews / Les Echos.

"He explained that he was going to sell his shares, especially (...) he announced that he had given up all his mandates, including in the executive", even before his official appointment, she added.

On Friday, IT group Atos announced that Thierry Breton had resigned as CEO during a board meeting on Thursday night.

"Mr. Thierry Breton informed the Board that he wanted to devote himself fully to the preparation of his appointment as French Commissioner to the European Commission and resigned from all his positions within the Atos group", the group said in a statement.

On October 24, Atos had already announced the planned succession plan to replace Mr. Breton, who has headed the group for more than ten years, in case of appointment in Brussels.

The group planned to separate the functions of chairman of the board (non-executive) and director general. Thierry Breton's dolphin, Elie Girard, took over as of 1 November, while Mr Breton was initially to remain chairman of the board until confirmed in Brussels. He was later replaced by Bertrand Meunier.

Finally, Mr. Meunier took office on Friday.

Thierry Breton must also sell all of his shares of Atos or other companies if he becomes European Commissioner, told AFP the entourage of the big boss.

"Today (Thierry Breton) has more interests, links with the company he directed," insisted Ms. de Montchalin, while the choice of France to propose this great boss for the position of Commissioner , responsible in particular for industrial policy, digital or defense, raises criticism on the risks of conflicts of interest.

Especially after the failure suffered by former Minister Sylvie Goulard, first choice of Paris to occupy this chair in Brussels, but recaled by MEPs for ethical reasons.

A committee of MEPs is in charge of studying the declaration of interest of Thierry Breton in the coming days. If he passes this stage, the French candidate will then be auditioned by the European representatives on his plans for the position.

The new Commission of Ursula von der Leyen is to take office on 1 December.

© 2019 AFP