The French government is moving to dismiss Renault's scandal-hit Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and has requested a board meeting to consider candidates to replace him, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
The French state, Renault's biggest shareholder, had until now supported the company's decision to keep Ghosn in his post while he awaits trial in Japan for alleged misconduct at Nissan, the French carmaker's alliance partner he also chaired until his dismissal in November.
But the government, which holds a 15 percent stake in Renault and two board seats, has asked the company to convene its nominations committee followed by a full board meeting on Jan. 20 to begin the process of appointing one or more successors to Ghosn, according to three people briefed on the process.