This is the issue that has shaken the European Union and its institutions for almost a week. On Tuesday, the European Commission announced the appointment of Fiona Scott Morton as chief economist at the Competition Directorate General. Since then, much criticism has been heard in Europe, and in particular within the French government, which is calling on Brussels to reconsider its decision. However, the European executive seems determined to keep the American expert in this position.
To understand the anger and tension felt by many political figures at the announcement of her appointment, it is necessary to look at the nature of the role that Fiona Scott Morton must fill in Brussels.
A key role in regulating the technology market
Elected Chief Economist of the Commission’s Competition Directorate General, she will lead a key body of the European executive. “This Commission service is responsible for EU competition policy and the application of European competition rules, in cooperation with national competent authorities,” can be read on the Commission’s website. The economist will thus have to advise Margrethe Vestager, the European competition commissioner.
However, there is one area where the Competition DG must intervene regularly, that of “technology”. This body of the European executive is, in effect, responsible, among other things, for investigating the abuse of dominant position by digital giants, which has led to record fines in recent years. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta (previously known as Facebook)… All these American giants have been pointed out by Brussels for abuse of a dominant position in recent years – or for non-payment of taxes in the case of the Apple firm.
A former Apple and Amazon consultant
Regulation of the European tech market continues to be closely scrutinized by European authorities, such as Amazon’s takeover of iRobot, which the Competition Directorate General and its new chief economist will have to investigate. But now, if Fiona Scott Morton shines with her diplomas and her experience, some lines of her resume are particularly striking on this side of the Atlantic.
It is true that this 46-year-old economist, who taught at the prestigious Yale University, went through the Obama administration. Between May 2011 and December 2012, he held the position of Chief of Economic Analysis in the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice.
But the American has also been a consultant for… Apple and Amazon. This is what the magazine says American lead revealed in 2020. More recently, the expert has also advised Microsoft on the ongoing acquisition of game publisher Activision, reports the financial times. A deal also contested by US and UK regulators.
The past and the closeness of the 1940s with the GAFAM then question their propensity to defend the “good” interests, that is, those of the European actors, within the framework of the exercise of their new functions.
Criticism and misunderstandings
And some European leaders have not hesitated to express their concern, such as Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate for the Digital Transition, who believes that this appointment “does not fail to raise legitimate questions.”
In the process, the French government asked Brussels to back down.
A petition supported by the main political forces of the European Parliament. Inside the chamber, the leaders of the EPP group (right), the German Manfred Weber, of the S&D (social democrats), the French Stéphane Séjourné and the Spanish Iratxe García Pérez, of Renew (centrists and liberals), and the Belgian Philippe Lamberts (Greens ) also wrote to the Commission asking it to “cancel this decision”.
“Decades of experience”
But these politicians have hit a wall, with Brussels clinging to its guns and closing the door on any pushback.
In its press release announcing the appointment of Fiona Scott Morton published on July 11, the European Commission preferred to highlight her very good knowledge of the digital ecosystem.
For the moment, the Commission has refused to further justify its choice.
Source: BFM TV
