France has taken control of the EU's key internal market and financial services job after a last-minute lobbying offensive from Nicolas Sarkozy in what will be seen as a huge blow for Britain's Europe policy. Michel Barnier, the French former foreign minister, was handed the full portfolio this morning despite intense British efforts to strip out financial services and give it to an economic liberal because of fears in the City of a new bout of regulation. French diplomats had this week all but given up hope that Mr Sarkozy would achieve his ambition of taking control of the EU's financial services agenda but José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, finally caved in during discussions late last night. As part of a deal to calm fears in London, Mr Barnier has agreed to accept a senior British bureaucrat, Jonathan Faull, currently head of the Commission's Justice department, as the director-general of internal market affairs.
France has taken control of the EU's key internal market and financial services job after a last-minute lobbying offensive from Nicolas Sarkozy in what will be seen as a huge blow for Britain's Europe policy.
Michel Barnier, the French former foreign minister, was handed the full portfolio this morning despite intense British efforts to strip out financial services and give it to an economic liberal because of fears in the City of a new bout of regulation.
French diplomats had this week all but given up hope that Mr Sarkozy would achieve his ambition of taking control of the EU's financial services agenda but José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, finally caved in during discussions late last night.
As part of a deal to calm fears in London, Mr Barnier has agreed to accept a senior British bureaucrat, Jonathan Faull, currently head of the Commission's Justice department, as the director-general of internal market affairs.
It's bad enough that the City should own the UK government. Why should they dictate EU policy?
"As part of a deal to calm fears in London,..."
When will we stop constantly placating British fears? It's one country out of 27, the one that tries to fight the EU project, they have been granted the position of High Commissioner, yet we feel forced to comply when they come back screaming for more? "Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. - Galbraith"
