Michel Barnier, the dull technocrat who was the EU negotiator for Brexit has pitched his name into the ring as a right-wing hopeful for the French Presidential election next year. He has also just published ‘My Secret Brexit Diary: A Glorious Illusion’ in which he makes clear his view of Brexit as irrational and self-damaging – “I still don’t understand what the point of it is, even from the perspective of the British national interest,” he writes.
“— every passing day shows that they have not realised the consequences of what is truly at stake here.” There was a failure, according to him, to grasp everything from the economic damage to the implications for Ireland and the Good Friday agreement.
Even if conclusions are to a degree self-serving it is fascinating if appalling to read his views on how a succession of British ministers and two prime ministers managed to misread the EU and according to one review “ended up with a flawed withdrawal agreement and a deeply disadvantageous future relationship, both of which will cause us major problems for decades to come.”
He remarks that Boris Johnson never took Northern Ireland seriously, proposing fictional technological solutions for the border; and says Johnson knew absolutely what he was agreeing to when he signed up to a border in the Irish Sea.
Reviews:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-secret-brexit-diary-by-michel-barnier-review-2gqzdcvcw
Barnier was born 9 January 1951 4.40pm La Tronche, France and has a 7th house Capricorn Sun making him competent as a negotiator and it squares a 4th house Neptune. But what makes his chart unique is a Yod of Sun sextile Midheaven North Node inconjunct Pluto with Pluto opposition an 8th house Mars. He’s pretty unbudgeable and will have had to learn how to wield power effectively and fairly. He also has Mercury in Capricorn opposition Uranus squaring onto Saturn in Libra – dutiful, hard-working with executive ability.
The Brexit endgame wasn’t a resounding victory for either side which is reflected in tr Neptune conjunct Barnier’s Pisces Midheaven. But from next March his star will begin to rise with tr Jupiter moving through his career 10th house till mid 2023 which usually accompanies success. He also has a confidence-boosting tr Pluto trine his Jupiter/Pluto midpoint in February/ early March 2022, repeating later in the year and through 2023. So even if he doesn’t replace Macron or even clinch his nomination, he’ll still be doing well.
Thanks Marjorie – “Brexit as irrational and self damaging” – quite! Although I wonder how the astrology patterns of the time might have unfolded had the UK remained inside the EU. It seems that either way, it wasn’t plain sailing. But it wasn’t a pragmatic result. Calling the referendum in the first place wasn’t pragmatic either.
I was intrigued to see that Barnier’s Pluto in Leo opposition Mars in Aquarius connects with the France 1792 Uranus in Leo opposition Pluto in Aquarius (square Mars in Scorpio). That seems to be sending a powerful message. France 1958 also has Mars (Gemini) square Pluto (Virgo) – interesting to see how this Pluto/Mars theme works out in French politics and society, it isn’t always obvious is it? Anyway, it seems to be an “energy” that France understands or recognises.
The Moon’s nodes for France 1792 are NN 24 Virgo, SN 24 Pisces. Barnier’s NN is 20 Pisces, SN 20 Virgo. Is that close enough for a fateful link? The general theme of “service and sacrifice” is there for both charts. Meticulous, detailed dreams and ideals too. For France as a whole, I’d say the Virgo/Pisces axis finds some expression in the development of haute couture and cuisine, plus the debates around correct language, and possibly French bureaucracy.
There are other links between Barnier and France – both 1792 and 1958. As Marjorie says, he will be doing well in the future, whether or not he assumes this role as President.
Another interesting midpoint is his Mercury/Venus midpoint a degree away from his Capricorn Sun. A man who can put his point over, in a clear intelligible way, with a command of knowledge and authority.
Interesting Leader in The Sunday Times this morning. It virtually tells Boris to grow up and move his Government on from fighting like they are still in a Brexit Referendum. Barnier has read Boris very well. He would make an excellent adversary, if he became President. As I think his Aquarian Mar/Venus midpoint is a just a degree away from his Aquarian moon, giving him a knack of a friendly connection with the people. A father of the land appeal. His Sun/Mars midpoint is also on his Venus – he has the a charisma around him, that will also give him likeable persona. I have always found Barnier attractive, these midpoint actually show he is attractive both in personality and presence to many. To make that appeal even stronger he has his Sun/Moon midpoint on Venus. A very strong attraction for a leader to have. These strong midpoints to his Venus in the 7th would most definitely put Macron in the shade.
I always thought he was underrated. He was indeed known for being headstrong and inflexible in the corridors of Brussels. My contacts there considered that he had been given the Brexit negotiator job to sideline him. That’s how little importance was assigned to it at the time. But his endurance meant that he stayed the course despite the many frustrations (on both sides). I think he has come out of it rather better than Lord Frost, for example. Whether he is the right person to lead France is another matter.
If his stars are positive, there is a good chance he will take over the Presidency. Who else can be a pain to Brexit Britain than him.. such a personality is required to make the dire predictions about British future come true.
Predictions about the problems of Germany, France etc might happen as well, inspite of the tremendous advantages the EU countries will have over the inward looking British or should it be, the English.