US economist steps back from top EU job offer after political controversy

US economist Fiona Scott Morton has withdrawn herself from consideration for a top EU job, after much controversy over her non-European nationality and possible conflicts of interest.

European Commissioner and Executive Vice-President of the Commission, Margrethe Vestager, announced on Wednesday (19 July) that Scott Morton would not take up the post as chief economist of DG Competition. Vestager said that she “accept[s] her decision, with regret and full respect for her integrity”.

In her letter to the commissioner, Scott Morton justifies her withdrawal on the grounds of “the political controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position, and the importance that the Directorate-General [for Competition] has the full backing of the European Union”.

Still on Tuesday evening (18 July), Vestager defended the candidate she had chosen in front of MEPs at a hearing, praising her qualifications, explaining that the risks of conflicts of interest were limited and that the role of chief economist was only advisory and not decision-making.

This did not convince the MEPs, who remained sceptical along with other political figures. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had “doubts” about the appointment, while the French government had called for a review of Scott Morton’s appointment.

The pressure increased when five commissioners sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday evening, also calling for Scott Morton’s appointment to be “reassessed” and made the subject of a debate.

Among the five signatories were Italy’s Paolo Gentiloni, in charge of economy, and France’s Thierry Breton, in charge of industry.

Criticism centred on the risk of conflicts of interest, given that Scott Morton has in the past had clients among the major tech companies. Her nationality was criticised insofar as it is usually only possible to appoint Europeans to this type of sensitive high-level post, and she therefore benefited from an exceptional procedure, which is legal but rare.

The liberal French Member of the European Parliament Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, who had criticised Vestager on Tuesday for the appointment, welcomed Scott Morton’s decision to withdraw her candidacy.

The Dutch Social Democratic MEP Paul Tang also welcomed the decision in view of preventing real and perceived conflicts of interests.

Green MEPs like Kira Peter-Hansen and Rasmus Andresen, meanwhile, called out the nationalism behind the campaign against Scott Morton.

[Edited by János Allenbach-Ammann/Alice Taylor]

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EU’s Vestager defends appointment of American economist to top job

EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager backed on Tuesday (18 July) American Fiona Scott Morton as the most qualified candidate to be the chief economist of the Directorate-General for Competition, after her appointment stirred controversy and drew criticism, especially from France.