Barnier rules himself out to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president
Chief Brexit negotiator intends to continue that role 'with all my energy and determination'
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Your support makes all the difference.The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has said he will not stand as a candidate to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission.
In a letter posted to Twitter, the 67-year-old Frenchman said running as the so-called lead candidate, or ”Spitzenkandidat”, of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) would be incompatible with his role in negotiations over the UK’s exit from the bloc.
“We are in the final stretch of a serious and complex negotiation on the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom. It is my duty to remain engaged with all my energy and determination,” he said.
Under the Spitzenkandidat system, the party groupings in the European Parliament each choose a lead candidate to campaign across the EU and challenge each other in debates.
One of the candidates – most likely the nominee of the grouping that wins the most seats in the parliament – is then chosen by the European Council, made up of EU leaders, to be the commission president.
The process was first employed in 2014 when Mr Juncker became president, having beaten Mr Barnier to the EEP nomination.
But it is unclear whether it will be used again, after it was heavily criticised by EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who want more of a say over appointing the EU’s top official.
The Commission has the initiative to draft EU laws, monitors compliance and acts as a competition watchdog. A new executive will take over in November 2019.
During the Brexit negotiations, Mr Barnier has greatly increased his profile by travelling extensively around the EU and holding meetings that have also included less-prominent regional leaders, labour unions and business.
Additional reporting by agencies
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