About: Barnier

Europe’s ambitious but uncertain future on show at Bratislava forum

As Globsec’s 2019 forum in Bratislava kicked off earlier this week, EURACTIV went along to listen to world leaders from politics, civil society and business on the Future of Europe. Here we present a summary of the main talking points in the field, across the first two days.

Raab: Brexit deal to come in mid-October

A deal on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union is "within reach" and will hopefully be announced by the European Council summit on 18 October, UK Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said on Friday (31 August).

Brussels shies away from forcing banking sector split

In a draft proposal, the European Commission appears on course to step back from earlier plans that would rigorously force large banks to hive off their lending business from their risker trading operations.

Commission moves to stem theft of trade secrets

The EU executive is seeking to stem an increase in theft of trade secrets across Europe with a new proposal to harmonise the definition of the practice and block imports of products arising from such theft.

Barnier backs more ambitious pensions reform in France, green tax

In an interview with EURACTIV.fr, the EU's internal market commissioner expresses his desire for an even more ambitious pension reform than the one presented by Paris last week and for an "energy-climate" charge that does not raise citizens' tax burden.

Barnier: The opposition must have the courage to back true reforms

EXCLUSIVE / In an interview with EURACTIV.fr, the EU's internal market commissioner Michel Barnier, urges France to be more ambitious in reforming its pensions system and calls on the opposition to back the government if necessary.

Brussels to present plan for crisis banks

Crisis-riven European banks could see their management dismissed and shareholders driven to accept losses to resolve failing institutions without hitting the public purse, under proposals to be launched today.

Commission braced for battle with big audit firms

The European Commission has set itself on collision course with the largest audit companies with its proposed regulation that will radically overhaul the management and structure of the service sector, despite controversial plans for joint auditing being dropped.

Commission questions Greek S&P rating downgrade

The European Commission questioned Standard & Poor's latest downgrade of Greece, saying yesterday (30 March) it did not share the rating agency's view and had concerns about how credit rating agencies functioned.

Herzog: Single Market Act is an opportunity for citizens

The European Commission's proposal for a 'Single Market Act' must be debated across the EU so that citizens can learn about the internal market and get a taste for cross-border trade, Philippe Herzog, co-founder of the think-tank Confrontations Europe, told EURACTIV France in an interview.

Barnier speaks out on hedge funds, EU budget reform

Reaching an agreement on the regulation of hedge funds is vital for the health of Europe's financial sector, says EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.fr, he also backs "new ideas" like eurobonds to finance EU growth policies.

Barnier finalising draft ‘EU Single Market Act’

The European Commission is preparing a new Single Market Act designed to boost job creation and stimulate growth, according to an internal paper seen exclusively by EURACTIV.

Germany may extend ban on short selling

Germany may widen a ban on speculative trades in financial stocks to cover all shares, a draft finance ministry document showed yesterday (25 May).

EU eyes private fund to rescue bankrupt banks

The European Commission is considering the establishment of a European emergency fund paid for by the financial sector to rescue failing banks and fend off future crises, EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier said on Friday (19 March).

French farmers divided over CAP redistribution

Grain farmers and cattle breeders are staging protests today (31 March) against a French plan to redistribute monies from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). EURACTIV France reports.

Barnier to Americans: stop ‘French-bashing’, improve alliance instead

Employing plain English, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier has called on all Americans to quit bashing the French and start working on improved transatlantic relations instead.

Barnier rejects spectre of French loss of influence

France needs to think more European and become a team player, says Barnier, while rejecting the idea of a French loss of influence in the EU.

Barnier leaves Commission in French government reshuffle

Jacques Barrot is to take Michel Barnier's seat at the Commission after the new Raffarin government was announced on 31 March. Barnier is the third Commissioner to leave Brussels for national politics this year.

Barnier: Convention should present options rather than a single proposal

Diverging views on the Convention on the future of the EU surfaced at the meeting of the Constitutional Affairs Committee with Commissioner Barnier on 19 November. Giorgio Napolitano, the chairman of the Committee, voiced concern about the lack of a clear position from the Commission on the Convention just a few weeks before the summit - especially since certain governments may try to diminish the Commission's role.

Barnier rejects Blair’s call for second chamber

Michel Barnier, the EU's commissioner in charge of institutional reform, has rejected British Prime Minister Tony Blair's proposal for a second chamber in the European Parliament made up of national parliamentarians. According to The Guardian, Mr Barnier said that the idea was overly complex and had little support among other Member States. His remarks were made during a visit to London where he held talks with British Foreign Minister Jack Straw.

Barnier: Convention should go beyond Nice Declaration

Michel Barnier, the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, has made a personal contribution to the constitutional debate on the future of the EU. His comments were published on the Commission's "Futurum" website.