The leader of the right-wing British party Reform UK, Nigel Farage, believes that the appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister of France will lead to a rapprochement between Great Britain and the European Union.
⠀
“Barnier’s appointment… will help the recently elected Prime Minister (of Great Britain) Keir Starmer bring Britain closer to the European Union,” the British media write, citing the politician.
⠀
An “EU fanatic” like Barnier would be “suitable for a Labor government,” Farage said.
⠀
Earlier it became known that the British government plans to launch negotiations with the European Union on a defense and security pact in the spring of 2025.
⠀
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly stated his intention to build new relations with the European Union. In its election manifesto, Labor announced plans to conclude a security pact with the European bloc, strengthen defense cooperation with France and Germany and partners in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The new government also intends to discuss agricultural trade between Britain and the EU to reduce border checks and address food prices, as well as raise the issue of mutual recognition of professional qualifications to open new markets for British services exporters. At the same time, the new government has no plans to return to the single European market.
⠀
On Thursday, 60 days after the end of snap parliamentary elections, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed 73-year-old Michel Barnier as the new head of government. He will become the oldest politician in this position, replacing the youngest Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic, 35-year-old Gabriel Attal.
⠀
Better known in Brussels than at home, in France Barnier was nicknamed “Mr. Brexit” and, for his resemblance to the American president, “the French Joe Biden.”
⠀
Barnier is considered a closed and conservative politician, and is sometimes even considered an adherent of extreme right-wing views. He has repeatedly advocated limiting migration to the EU and even proposed a three-to-five year moratorium on entry into the EU for all migrants, with the exception of asylum seekers and foreign students. Barnier advocated increasing the retirement age to 65 and extending the working day. In 2021, he announced his intention to run for president in the 2022 elections, but according to the results of the Republican Party Congress, he became only third after Eric Sciotti and Valerie Pecresse.
