It’s the big day for Stéphane Séjourné.

The former French foreign minister is due to face members of the European Parliament today as he seeks the post of executive vice-president of the European Commission for prosperity and industrial strategy. This is one of the most powerful positions in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s new team.

Séjourné, candidate of France after the dramatic ousting of Thierry Bretonwhose grandiloquent and flamboyant style has worn out his welcome with von der Leyen. However, serious questions remain about whether Séjourné has the political chops to succeed in such a prestigious role.

Competition should be a key element in today’s audience. In his written responses to questions from the European Parliament, Stayed said that it commits to carefully evaluating the Commission’s rules aimed at combating unfair trade practices in a context of fierce – and sometimes state-subsidized – competition from China and the United States.

We’ll bring you all the action live from 2:30 p.m. CET on November 12.

Background reading:

If you want to follow more of the action from the hearings, our journalists will bring you detailed updates from the 26 interviews with the commissioner here.