Michel Barnier last night revealed he intends to run in next year’s French presidential election. The former EU chief Brexit negotiator told TF1 television last night that he wanted to replace Emmanuel Macron to ‘change the country,’ citing his long experience in politics as giving him an edge in the race.
Barnier’s role in the withdrawal negotiations will be central to his claims on the top job, with the former French foreign minister boasting of his years spent working ‘with heads of state and government to preserve the unity of all the European countries. One can only imagine the reaction in No.10 to the prospect of Barnier strolling up Downing Street again to negotiate with Prime Minister Johnson.
Unfortunately for the French veteran, the road to the Élysée is long and hazardous. He is technically not yet an ‘official’ candidate for the French presidency – he is instead a candidate for a centre-right primary which does not yet exist.
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