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The EU chief negotiator for Brexit Michel Barnier (g) with President Emmanuel Macron on 23 February 2019 in Paris. Michel Euler / Pool via Reuters

Officially, he is not a candidate. On paper it can not be: the future President of the Commission - the European Parliament holds it, must come from one of the leading candidates who led the battle for the European elections. Michel Barnier does not fit in the boxes, yet the EU negotiator for Brexit has many assets. The latest: the Elysee would be ready to support his candidacy.

The announcement is cautious and under cover of anonymity, but leaves no room for doubt: France, said a close Emmanuel Macron, will support Michel Barnier for the presidency of the commission if he is able to 'impose.

We must be careful, because a year ago the MEPs reaffirmed it, they will reject any personality proposed by the heads of state and government who would not have been leader for the European elections. We must be careful too, because the European campaign has not started, the balance of power are far from fixed.

Remain polls that draw a landscape exploded, the need for an alliance between 3, maybe 4 parties to draw a majority. An asset for a Michel Barnier centrist political profile.

Above all, Michel Barnier is hailed throughout Europe for his role as Brexit negotiator . Even Hungary, which scrapes against Brussels, is not stingy with compliments.

Michel Barnier says he is focused on his task, but when asked if the position interests him, he now responds " every thing in his time ". Way to not close the door and start out of the wood.