Key Facts About Michel Barnier, France’s New Prime Minister – Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as his new prime minister. This decision comes in an effort to resolve the political impasse following an inconclusive snap election.

Here are some key facts about Barnier:

• 1951: Born on January 9 in La Tronche, a suburb of Grenoble in the French Alps.

• 1978: Elected to parliament at the age of 27, representing the Gaullist, center-right Savoie district.

• 1992: Co-organized the Winter Olympics held in Albertville, an event that remains significant to his public persona.

• 1993-1995: Served as Minister of the Environment.

• 1995-1997: Held the position of France’s Minister for European Affairs.

• 1999-2004: Acted as the EU’s Regional Policy Commissioner, managing grants and subsidies that accounted for a significant portion of the EU’s budget.

• 2004-2005: Served as Foreign Minister.

• 2007-2009: Held the role of Agriculture Minister.

• 2009-2010: Worked as an EU lawmaker.

• 2010-2014: Served as the EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, where he negotiated extensive financial market regulations in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, including measures that were contentious in the City of London.

• 2016: Appointed as the EU’s chief negotiator for Brexit following the UK’s referendum on leaving the EU.

• 2021: Sought to secure his conservative party’s nomination for the 2022 presidential election but was unsuccessful.