Mr Barnier has emerged as one of three contenders to become France’s next Europe commissioner for the next five years. The 68-year-old looks set to be free from his current role amid Boris Johnson’s “do or die” pledge to deliver Brexit by October 31 – with or without a deal. But Commission president-elect Ms von der Leyen’s ambition to achieve gender equality in her college of commissioners could yet scupper Mr Barnier’s chances for a role.
Sylvie Goulard, a former French defence minister, and Florence Parly, the current incumbent in the same role, are also amongst the frontrunners to become a commissioner.
Ms Goulard is a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, the man who must propose a French candidate, and has previous experience in Brussels as a member of the European Parliament.
She stepped down as French defence minister in June 2017 after being linked to an investigation into alleged misused of European Parliament funds.
Despite the controversy, she was made the deputy governor of the Bank of France by Mr Macron.
Ms Parly is the driving force behind an effort to create a technological French military force, which includes plans to launch satellites mounted with defensive lasers.
She also has economic and financial experience, having worked on the budget in several different roles within the French government, but also with senior roles at Air France and railway firm SNCF.
Mr Macron is reportedly looking to secure a senior portfolio, with vice presidency status, in the next Commission.
Paris is seeking for their commissioner to have some oversight over the European Union’s finances and economy, but could also consider climate change as an important portfolio.
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Mr Macron, last May, said: “Undeniably, Michel Barnier is a man who has great qualities and he demonstrated this once again in the way he handled negotiations with the British.”
The pair were also united during an EU leaders debate on whether to offer Britain a Brexit delay, both favouring shorter extensions to the bloc’s Article 50 exit clause.
Ahead of the early April summit in Brussels, Mr Macron told his EU colleagues that the effort to avoid no deal could still see Britain leave the bloc without an agreement.
Mr Barnier said a long extension “would carry significant risks for the EU and therefore strong justification would be needed”.
He said EU27 businesses had warned Brussels “against the cost of extending uncertainty” and the UK’s extended membership “could pose a risk on our decision-making autonomy”.
“The option of no deal looks very likely,” he added.
Eventually the pair were overruled by EU leaders and Britain was handed an extension until October 31.
The close relationship between Mr Macron and Mr Barnier ultimately created worries amongst EU leaders when selecting potential candidates for the Commission presidency.
A number of member states expressed fears that the Brexit negotiator’s close relationship with the French President would hand Paris too much power in the long run.