EDF: General meeting gives green light to new CEO Bernard Fontana
EDF's general shareholders' meeting gave the green light on Monday, May 5, to Bernard Fontana's appointment as CEO of the public group, following the abrupt departure of Luc Rémont. Following this approval, the final step will be the publication of a decree from the Élysée Palace to ratify this appointment.
The National Assembly confirmed on Wednesday the Élysée's choice to place Bernard Fontana , 64, at the head of the electricity producer and supplier.
"I love industry," declared the man who previously headed the nuclear boilermaker Framatome during his hearing. He also worked at several leading companies in the sector, such as the steelmaker ArcelorMittal and the Swiss cement manufacturer Holcim.
Among his priorities: providing "competitive electricity" for the French, he told the deputies and senators.
The new CEO's term of office is four years. It will end at the end of the general meeting scheduled for December 31, 2028, according to an EDF press release on Monday.
The arrival of Bernard Fontana comes a little over a month after the sudden departure of Luc Rémont , dismissed by the Élysée.
Several disputes had accumulated between EDF and the State shareholder: control of the EPR2 reactor construction program, the State's share in their financing, and a standoff over electricity prices with energy-intensive industrial customers.
The EDF board of directors "thanks" Luc Rémont who, during his term, "contributed to the recovery of nuclear production and the financial situation of the group," according to the press release.
The EDF general meeting also approved the distribution of 2 billion euros to the State.
La Croıx
