"The EU must reform or risk self-destruction..." Michel Barnier

imagine a Seasoned Chef years spent perfecting a signature dish then after serving it he pushes his plate away proclaiming it underseasoned that my friends is Michelle barnier the man who spent years as The eu's brexit Negotiator seemingly the embodiment of the European project is now raising eyebrows with surprisingly eurosceptic sounding pronouncements what's going on has barnier switched sides or is there something more nuanced at play Michelle barnier the very embod of the European project during those tumultuous brexit negotiations remember him the unflinching face of the EU unwavering in his defense of the single market and freedom of movement he was labeled let's be honest inflexible even stubborn by frustrated British negotiators this was a man who embodied the EU through and through and yet fast forward to today this supposed Mr Europe the very architect of the block brexit strategy is now publicly critiquing the very institution he fought so valiantly to preserve he's calling for a slower pace of integration even suggesting that certain powers should be handed back to individual member states it's a truly remarkable turn of events imagine a master painter taking a brush and methodically deconstructing his own Masterpiece that's what we're witnessing here let's delve into the details shall we remember those early days of the brexit negotiations barer in his signature calm and collected manner met with a delegation of optimistic brexiters led by none other than Lord Digby Jones they arrived full of cheer bearing gifts a basket brimming with British goodies cheddar wine tea even a volume of Shakespeare's plays barnier ever the Diplomat pointed out the irony some of those very food stuffs products of EU protected designations of origin and Shakespeare a continental playwright he quipped this seemingly light-hearted exchange foreshadowed the chasm that existed between the two sides as negotiations progressed and barnier stood firm on the eu's principles the mood soured Jones in a moment of palpable frustration accused barnier of harming the very workers he claimed to represent the worker in the ruer the single mother in Madrid barnier in his diary called it morally outrageous this my friends was the barer the remain camp in Britain came to admire steadfast unyielding a staunch defender of the European project now some might suggest that this is all a calculated act a cynical ploy to win votes after all barer seeking the French presidency needs to broaden his appeal beyond the Brussels bubble he needs to connect with those citizens who feel unheard even disregarded by the EU establishment those who see theion iion as overreaching bureaucratic out of touch it's a tale as old as time itself isn't it a seasoned politician sensing a shift in the winds adjusts his sales accordingly this is politics 101 the art of appealing to the Bas speaking their language but is that all this is is barer simply playing a role morphing into a more palatable version of himself for the French electorate or is there something deeper more genuine driving this transformation let's consider the context barnier having thrown his hat in the presidential ring finds himself vying for the nomination of Le Republican a center right party this is a crucial detail to secure the nomination he needs to appeal to a base that leans conservative skeptical of further EU integration wary of unchecked immigration his message then is carefully crafted he speaks of the need for a moratorium on non-eu immigration a constitutional shield to protect French sovereignty a recalibration of power between Paris and Brussels these are not merely talking points they are deliberate pronouncements designed to resonate with a specific of the French population yet even as we acknowledge the political calculus at play we must ask is there a deeper truth underpinning Bar's words could it be that his experience as the eu's chief negotiator his front row seat to the office and messy realities of European politics has genuinely shifted his perspective let's be brutally honest barrier's criticisms while jarring to those who viewed him solely as Mr Europe aren't entirely unfounded he's raising valid concerns about issues that resonate far beyond the halls of power in Brussels think about it the handling of the migration crisis for example the 2015 surge in refugees exposed deep divisions within the EU with some member states feeling overwhelmed and abandoned this wasn't just a logistical challenge it was a fundamental question of identity and sovereignty barnier in calling for tighter borders and stricter controls is tapping into a very real anxiety felt by many Europeans a sense that their National identities are being eroded that their concerns are being ignored by an outof touch Elite in Brussels then there's the issue of the so-called democratic deficit the EU for all its achievements is often criticized for being overly bureaucratic distant from the everyday lives of its citizens barnier calls for greater National sovereignty for a recalibration of power between Brussels and member states Echo a broader sentiment a yearning for a more accountable more responsive Union and let's not forget the influence of the European court of justice a frequent Target of euroskeptic a barer suggestion that France should be exempt from certain rulings particularly on immigration is a direct challenge to the very notion of a supernational legal order now some may view this as heresy a betrayal of the eu's core principles but perhaps just perhaps barnier having spent years immersed in the intricate workings of the EU Machinery has developed a more nuanced even critical understanding of its strengths and limitations could it be that his pronouncements far from being a betrayal are actually a desperate plea for reform a last ditch attempt to salvage the European project from within this is where things get really interesting because Bar's transformation goes beyond mere political opportunism it reveals a fundamental Paradox at the heart of his worldview he argues and pay close attention here that his seemingly euroskeptic stance isn't about abandon ing the EU but rather about saving it let that sink in for a moment the man who spent years as the eu's gatekeeper the supposed defender of the status quo now claims that he's the one with the true vision for its future it's a bold claim to say the least he asserts that the EU in its current form is on a path to self-destruction by clinging to an overly centralized bureaucratic model it's alienating its citizens fueling the very nationalism it seeks to contain think of it like this a doctor diagnosing a patient with a serious illness the prescribed treatment may seem drastic even painful but it's intended to cure the underlying disease not kill the patient that in essence is barrier's argument he's the surgeon performing radical surgery excising the tumors of bureaucracy and overreach to save the patient the European project from itself and here's the crucial question who better to diagnose and address the eu's shortcomings than someone who spent years intimately familiar with its inner workings barnier in his former role witnessed firsthand the limitations of the EU system the frustrations of member states the growing disconnect between Brussels and the citizens it governs he saw the seeds of brexit being sown long before the referendum now whether this self-proclaimed savior complex is genuine or simply a clever political maneuver is Up For Debate late but one barnier is turning the tables positioning himself as a kind of reformed Insider someone who understands the dangers of both Blind Faith and Reckless dismantling he's threading a very delicate needle appealing to both the anxieties of Euros Skeptics and the hopes of those who still believe in a reformed more responsive European Union thanks so much for watching if you enjoyed this video video be sure to give it a 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