PARIS — The European Union’s former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is considering running for France’s parliament in a by-election in Paris.
Barnier, who has served four times as a government minister and twice as a European commissioner, may throw his hat in the ring after the election in 2024 of a candidate backed by President Emmanuel Macron was annulled over irregular campaign spending, one of Barnier’s advisers said, confirming reporting from Le Figaro.
Despite setting a record as France’s shortest-serving prime minister last year, the 74-year-old Barnier has sought to stay involved in national politics with the publication of a book, “What I have learnt from you,” and is even hinting he might consider a presidential bid in 2027.
Running is “an option,” said one of his advisers, who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. Barnier “is taking his time to think before making a decision.”
If Barnier does decide to go for it, he will likely be campaigning when Paris gears up for local elections next year that are expected to be hotly contested. Culture Minister Rachida Dati, a likely candidate, and Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad are calling for a joint candidate from the right and from Macron’s Renaissance party.
Barnier’s candidacy as an MP for Paris would have broad support, argued the same adviser cited above. “Lots of people in the district, lots of elected officials from both sides of the political aisles are encouraging him to run,” the adviser said.
Barnier’s government was toppled in a December confidence vote as far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined forces to bring him down.
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