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former eu brexit negotiator michel barnier launches bid to dethrone emmanuel macron as french president vowing to stand as a right-wing candidate and 'have france respected'

The EU's former chief negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier has announced he plans to stand as a right-wing candidate against centrist President Emmanuel Macron in next year's presidential elections.

'In these grave times, I have taken the decision and have the determination to stand... and be the president of a France that is reconciled, to respect the French and have France respected,' he told the evening news show of TF1 television in a live interview on Thursday. 

Barnier, who is entering an increasingly crowded field on the right, cited his long experience in politics as giving him an edge in the race including the 'extraordinary' negotiations to find a deal on Britain's exit from the European Union.

He said during the years-long process he had to work 'with heads of state and government to preserve the unity of all the European countries'.

Asked why he wanted to challenge Macron - with whom he had worked closely in the Brexit process - Barnier replied that he wanted to 'change the country'.

Michel Barnier made the announcement on Thursday, saying he wants to 'be the president of a France that is reconciled, to respect the French and have France respected'

Michel Barnier made the announcement on Thursday, saying he wants to 'be the president of a France that is reconciled, to respect the French and have France respected'

Seeking to strike a more right-wing tone than the president, he spoke of needing to 'restore the authority of the state' as well as 'limit and have control over immigration', reaffirming a proposal for a moratorium on arrivals.

He also told the Le Figaro daily in an interview published online Thursday that while France should offer asylum to Afghans who had helped French forces 'we cannot welcome everyone'.

He said the moratorium was needed to 'review all procedures' and come to an agreement with the countries of origin 'so that they contribute to controlling migratory flows in return for French development assistance'.

In February, Barnier set up a political faction under the 'Patriot and European' name, triggering rumours of a bid in next year's election. 

Less than a year before the April 10 first round of the presidential election, none of the former mainstream centre-left and centre-right parties, which were shut out by centrist Emmanuel Macron's victory in 2017, have chosen a candidate.

Opinion polls show that French far-right politician Marine Le Pen is likely to face Macron again in the 2022 presidential final-round vote.

Barnier, a 70-year-old former French foreign minister, is being closely watched by Macron's camp as he could attract support from the pro-European, centre-right electorate the president is targeting.

The chances of the centre-right camp qualifying for the second round of the presidential election hinge on it unifying behind one candidate.

Xavier Bertrand, who leads the northern region of Hauts de France, currently has the highest poll ratings among the mainstream centre-right candidates who have declared for the presidency.

Emmanuel Macron has yet to officially declare his candidacy for a second term but it would be a sensation were he not to stand, despite occasional enigmatic pronouncements that nothing should be taken for granted

Emmanuel Macron has yet to officially declare his candidacy for a second term but it would be a sensation were he not to stand, despite occasional enigmatic pronouncements that nothing should be taken for granted

But he has until now ruled out participation in any kind of primaries, which still have to be defined and may not even take place. 

France's main centre-right party, Les Republicains, said this summer it would wait until September 25 to decide on the way it will select its candidate for the presidential election.

Valerie Pecresse, another former minister and current head of the wealthy Ile de France region, has vowed to take part in centre-right primaries as well as two other LR officials. 

Others, like Senator Bruno Retailleau and Laurent Wauquiez, another regional leader, might still enter the fray.    

Macron has yet to officially declare his candidacy for a second term but it would be a sensation were he not to stand, despite occasional enigmatic pronouncements that nothing should be taken for granted. 

A possible candidate on the left is the Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo who has yet to reveal her intentions but has hinted she is ready for a bid to be France's first female president.

Keeping everyone guessing still is former prime minister Edouard Philippe, jettisoned by Macron last year after reportedly becoming too popular for his own good and who has issued no more than coded musings about his intentions.  

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