By Sam Schechner 

PARIS--State-controlled energy firm Electricite de France SA (EDF.FR) said Sunday that Jean-Bernard Levy has assumed the role of chief executive on an interim basis while his official nomination to the role is approved.

Mr. Levy was named the interim CEO following a decision by France's finance and economy ministers, while the company officially proposes his appointment to French president Francois Hollande, EDF said in a statement.

Mr. Levy, formerly CEO of defense-electronics company Thales SA, will appear at a hearing before France's national assembly on Tuesday, the company added.

The interim appointment comes after the French government, which controls 85% of EDF, had already said last month that Mr. Levy would assume the role, following run-ins between the former CEO and Mr. Hollande over the French president's plans to reduce nuclear power's share of the country's energy mix.

Write to Sam Schechner at sam.schechner@wsj.com

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