My Secret Brexit Diary - Michel Barnier

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of whom voted to leave. In this generational battle, the older cohort had a significant weapon at its disposal: participation. In all, 83 per cent of over-65s cast their vote, compared with only one in three young people.

      Jean-Claude Juncker lands in Warsaw this afternoon to participate in the NATO summit and to sign a cooperation protocol between the EU and the North Atlantic Alliance alongside Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.

      For the past ten months, at the Commission President’s request, I have been his special adviser on defence and security policy. These are issues that have always been of interest to me; indeed, in 2002 I chaired the European Convention’s Working Group on Defence. My group’s suggestions at the time for strengthening defence cooperation within the EU have now been incorporated into the Treaty. It’s all in there: a stronger role for the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a European Defence Agency, the solidarity clause and the possibility for a group of countries to set out as ‘pathfinders’ by way of ‘structured cooperation’.

      So here I am on this sunny afternoon, on the plane to Warsaw with the President of the Commission. He has kindly invited me to join him tomorrow for a private meeting with President Obama and several members of his cabinet.

      Suddenly, President Juncker turns to me, gestures to his young diplomatic adviser Richard Szostak not to listen, and says: ‘Michel, I have a sensitive matter to discuss with you. Would you consider returning to the Commission in a permanent position, to lead negotiations with the United Kingdom following its decision to leave the European Union?’ Naturally, I am taken aback by the question. To tell the truth, the day after the British Brexit vote, my mind had been more on how I could make myself useful in my own country, during what looked likely to be both a historic and a perilous period.

      For fifteen years now, at various times and in various different capacities, I have had to deal with the major issues that will lie at the heart of the Brexit negotiations: first as Commissioner for Regional Policy and Constitutional Affairs from 1999 to 2004, then a little later in 2008 as President of the European Agricultural and Fisheries Council – but above all from 2010 to 2014 as European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.

      My answer to Jean-Claude Juncker is therefore unhesitating and positive. ‘I have to check how the idea will go down in certain quarters’, he adds with a smile. ‘Don’t mention anything, we’ll talk again soon…’

      That evening, we have a beer together in the hotel restaurant while watching the European Cup semi-final between France and Germany. France wins 2–0. What a day!

      The government is expanded with the introduction of a new portfolio: Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. The position is given to David Davis, a staunch Conservative whom I know, as he was my counterpart as Minister of State for Europe between 1995 and 1997. At the time, we were both members of the Westendorp Group responsible for drafting the Treaty of Amsterdam. There is a larger-than-life side to David, a heartiness even – a sign of great self-confidence. Since working together, he has become a staunch Eurosceptic and an advocate of a ‘hard’ Brexit. It seems this will be a hard-fought game.

      Theresa May appears to be well aware of the challenge that lies ahead: ‘[O]ur country needs strong, proven leadership – to steer us through this period of economic and political uncertainty, and to negotiate the best possible terms as we leave the European Union.’ ‘We will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world.’

      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 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’.

      From the terrace of a Sicilian villa where I am spending a few days’ holiday with my wife Isabelle and a few friends, I begin to put together my team.

      I need one or two competent deputies who command respect in all departments of the Commission. My former Head of Cabinet Olivier Guersent recommends a young French woman, Stéphanie Riso, an economist who has worked in several Commissioners’ cabinets on monetary and budgetary issues. I call her and she gives me an agreement in principle. She is a lively and direct woman who doesn’t mince her words, and who will be particularly useful in helping me negotiate the explosive issue of the financial settlement with the British.

      I have no intention of putting together an entirely French team, of course. We will meet on 31 August in Brussels to get organized. Georg Riekeles, whom I called during the summer, will also join us. Georg is as loyal as they come, and I had immediately asked him to accompany me in this new project.

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