The government has not yet resigned but Jean-Baptiste Djebbari has already retrained. The Minister of Transport will join the board of directors of Hopium, which specializes in the construction of high-end hydrogen cars, the French company announced in a press release on Monday May 16.
Hopium’s Board of Directors proposes the appointment of Mr. @Djebbari_JBMinister Delegate for Transport, as director.
More info: https://t.co/Bw2XTQprdU pic.twitter.com/nk9PVa8cwy
— Hopium (@hopiumofficial) May 16, 2022
“I am honored and proud to welcome Jean-Baptiste Djebbari to this wonderful French industrial adventure”commented CEO Olivier Lombard, welcoming “a major step in our development”.This appointment must still be submitted for approval at Hopium’s next general meeting on June 20. “It is his expertise and knowledge of the energy and transport sector that justified this choice”further specifies the company to franceinfo.
This announcement comes while Jean-Baptiste Djebbari is still part of the government, because he has not yet resigned. Something to raise questions. “Jean-Baptiste Djebbari has confirmed the possibility of joining the board of directors with the High Authority for the transparency of public life (HATVP)“explains the company to franceinfo.
“The High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life has issued a favorable opinion which will be released in the coming days. It is normal that it did not communicate its opinion before we made the announcement.”
The Hopium Companyat franceinfo
“The HATVP decided for a few weeks ago, the opinion will be made public in the coming days”, also says the cabinet of Jean-Baptiste Djebbari to franceinfo. But why make this announcement when the government is still in place? “The Commercial Code [article R225-61-2] forces companies to publish a notice 35 days before the general meeting”responds the entourage of the minister.
“We are talking about a proposed appointment and not an appointment, which would take place on June 20.”
Jean-Baptiste Djebbari’s officeat franceinfo
Founded in 2019 by a former winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Hopium company boasts of bringing together “a team of experts at the forefront of innovation in the hydrogen fuel cell and automotive engineering sectors, as well as leading partners” such as Plastic Omnium, Saint-Gobain and Bridgestone. Listed on the stock exchange, in 2020 it launched the first French hydrogen sedan.