Public authorities' interest in Free Software is essential. This is an issue of competitiveness for the EU in the information technologies sector, as well as the condition of our technological independence. Free Software is a vehicle for innovation in a promising economy; it is also the essence of an open, abundant information society.
, member of the ALDE group in the European Parliament, leader of the MoDem list in Paris region (France) for the 2009 European election and Free Software Pact signatory.