France’s former minister for housing, Emmanuelle Wargon, has been appointed head of the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), despite opposition from MPs who have been questioning her political independence and expertise in energy.
On Wednesday (17 August), Wargon was appointed head of the CRE by presidential decree for a six-year, non-renewable term. The CRE is responsible for the proper functioning of energy markets, the regulation of the networks and the provision of good information to consumers.
In other words, the regulator participates in the construction of the European energy market, examines various calls for tenders for the development of renewable energies, suggests amounts for the regulated electricity prices and regulates the storage of gas.
The question of impartiality
According to its own principles, the CRE must be independent “with regard to the energy industry and the government for the implementation of the missions established by the law”.
However, the MPs gathered in the Economic Affairs Committee on 3 August to vote on Wargon’s candidacy for the post of president of the CRE questioned her independence at length, given her professional and political background.
Wargon has held multiple positions in several governments under Emmanuel Macron’s presidency. She was initially secretary of state to the minister of ecological and solidarity transition and was then appointed minister delegate for housing.
Before that, she spent three years as director of communications and public affairs for the international food giant Danone.
In addition, she is also president of the National Council of Territoires de Progrès, a small centre-left party affiliated with the presidential party, as well as a regional councillor for Île-de-France.
Wargon will leave these two positions when she starts her new role to ensure the independence of the CRE.
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Independence and expertise called into question by MPs
MPs from across the political spectrum called the suitability of Wargon’s professional credentials into question.
Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a member of the far-right party Rassemblement National, denounced Wargon’s inconsistency and political U-turns, particularly on the topic of nuclear power.
“An expert, whether they are for or against nuclear power, does not change their mind in two years,” he said, referring to the shift in the approach to nuclear development by Emmanuel Macron and his successive governments, thereby condemning Wargon’s ability “to carry out this presidency of the CRE with complete independence and expertise”.
Wargon responded that these attacks are unfounded, particularly in view of the three main priorities she has set for her presidency. These include contributing to the sovereignty and security of energy supplies, protecting consumers and speeding up the development of low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear.
Meanwhile, Jérôme Nury, a right-wing MP from Les Républicains, argued that attending meetings with EU energy ministers is not enough to be an energy expert.
“I too sometimes, in the context of my duties, take part in a breakfast with tripe in it, but that doesn’t make me a pork butcher!”, he exclaimed.
Socialist MP Philippe Brun asked: “where is the impartiality? Where is the independence?” and Julie Laernoes, MP for the Green party (EELV) said that this is the “first time that a politician has been appointed” as chair of the CRE.
Wargon told the left-wing MPs that her political career was “coming to an end” and that she was “returning to what was [her] previous career and life: essentially public service”.
Thus, following the votes in the Economic Affairs Committee, most MPs – predominantly those from the presidential majority – voted in favour of Wargon’s nomination. In the French Senate, the majority of senators, mainly from the right-wing Les Républicains party, voted against.
In total, 43 voted for her nomination and 48 against. As the condition for the invalidation of the nomination to the post was that 60% of MPs must vote against it, Wargon was nevertheless nominated.
All opposition parties have been voicing their resistance to the political “rehiring” of Wargon who was defeated in the first round of the recent French parliamentary elections last June.
[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]
Source: euractiv.com
