Ex-PM Barnier seeks political comeback with a bid in Paris by-election

PARIS – Michel Barnier, the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator and briefly serving French prime minister in 2024, has announced his candidacy for a Paris parliamentary seat, seeking to reassert himself on the national political stage.

“As someone who has lived in this constituency for a long time, my candidacy is part of a rallying effort for the right and centre,” he said on X, after French media Le Figaro first reported the news. 

The 74-year-old veteran of the conservative Les Républicains party is entering the race following the annulment of a Macron-aligned candidate’s 2024 victory, overturned due to campaign spending irregularities. The by-election is to take place in September, and other candidates have not yet made their intentions public.

While Barnier built his political base in the Savoy region, his bid for this Parisian seat is part of an effort to raise his profile ahead of key electoral contests, an advisor to Barnier said.

“He has said several times that this is not the time to talk about presidential candidacies, as the right is continuing its breakthrough in France, partly thanks to him, but he wants to weigh in on ideas and help build this dynamic,” the close advisor said.

The race for the Paris district, a traditionally centre-right stronghold near the Seine river and the Eiffel tower, is shaping up to be a key test for alliances between Macron’s centre-right Renaissance and the conservatives Les Républicains.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, recently elected as president of Les Républicains, has already voiced support for Barnier’s candidacy. “Renaissance can't possibly put anyone in front of him,” the close aide added.

The by-election is also expected to attract national attention, reflecting the broader political turbulence that has ensued since Macron called snap elections in 2024. His centre-right party has struggled to govern amid gains by both the far right and the left in the parliament, and is now facing mounting internal divisions.

The move also comes as the race for Paris mayor begins to gather pace – and a win at the National Assembly could position Barnier to play a role in shaping that contest. Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who has positioned herself as a potential candidate, has called for a united front between the conservatives and centrists to prevent a split vote.

If elected, Barnier would support her but has no plan to run himself for the contested election in any case, his aide said. The former EU official would, however, always keep an eye on Europe, they added, as he tries to maintain close ties with fellow conservatives, having recently met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ursula von der Leyen.

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