Читать книгу My Secret Brexit Diary - Michel Barnier - Страница 21

At the most recent meeting of the College of European Commissioners, before the August break, Jean-Claude Juncker proposed my nomination. In the twenty days since then, there have been no leaks. President Juncker has secured the support of Angela Merkel, François Hollande and Donald Tusk. In a press release today, the European Commission finally announces the name of its ‘Chief Negotiator’ in the discussions that must follow with the United Kingdom.

The President carefully clarifies a few points regarding internal organization: ‘Michel will have access to all Commission resources necessary to perform his tasks. He will report directly to me, and I will invite him to brief the College on a regular basis so as to keep my team abreast of the negotiations. I am sure that he will live up to this new challenge and help us to develop a new partnership with the United Kingdom after it has left the European Union.’

The announcement is widely reported in the media. The Commission has thrown its support behind a man of politics, a former European Commissioner, and has stated its intention to stand alongside him and play its part. And, of course, to work with the member states of the Union and the Council, on the one hand, and the European Parliament, on the other.

On the other side of the Channel, the news is greeted with great surprise. And, as always, the tabloids and the conservative media, which had already dubbed me ‘the most dangerous man in Europe’ when I was appointed as Commissioner for Financial Regulation, are having a field day. Even the Independent opines that ‘Mr Barnier’s appointment looks like a provocative act by Jean-Claude Juncker’.