European Commission appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Brexit Negotiator

The European Union’s executive on 27 July 2016 appointed Michel Barnier, former French Financial Services Commissioner, as its Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom’s exit from the bloc. Barnier was appointed under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. He will be a prominent figure in the negotiations over Britain’s exit from the union. In June 2016, Didier Seeuws, a Belgian diplomat, was

appointed as head of a Brexit task force by the European Council.

Who is Michel Barnier?

• Michel Barnier is a French Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) politician and Vice President of the European People's Party (EPP).

• He was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries in the French government on 18 June 2007. He stepped down from the position on 7 June 2009 after his election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

• In February 2010, he was confirmed as European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.

• As European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, he handled many important issues, such as the reform of the financial sector, the banking union and the digital single market.

European Commission appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Brexit Negotiator