Dublin, 06/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European People's Party's congress opened in Dublin on Thursday 6 March and was due to decide on its electoral programme in the afternoon before deciding, on Friday 7 March, on its candidate to take over from José Manuel Barroso. Michel Barnier is one of the two EPP chiefs standing. Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis has withdrawn, leaving Barnier with a single competitor, Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg. In an interview with a handful of reporters, Michel Barnier, currently Internal Market Commissioner, expressed his interest in the job and said he was as determined as ever.
Agence Europe (AE): Rumours have been circulating since the beginning of the congress that you stood down on Thursday evening, under pressure, in favour of Jean-Claude Juncker. How would you respond to that?
Michel Barnier (MB): I am a serious candidate and am totally committed to this race. I have asked many people and my decision is backed by many elected officials who have seen me work. This battle is taking place at all levels and I will be a candidate right until the end. I am well aware of this tittle-tattle, which is valueless. If I'm doing all this, it is to respect democracy and the party will emerge stronger for it.
(AE) In what way are you different from Jean-Claude Juncker? What makes you think you could win this primary?
(MB) I do not compare myself with Jean-Claude Juncker. We have different personalities and I am not opposing anyone, certainly not a political friend of mine. I was encouraged to stand and I have useful experience. I am not surprised that the Germans support Jean-Claude Juncker. It is only to be expected that they have their preferences, but there is a general feeling that I could win the primary.
(AE) Are you counting on aspiring to be the next president of the European Commission without standing in the European elections, as some media reports suggest?
(MB) No, not at all. If I am selected by my party on Friday, then I will stand for the European elections (in the third or fourth place on the French UMP's list). It makes sense to me that I cannot physically be top of the list in France and top of the EPP's list too at the same time. On the other hand, I will not be standing for the European elections if I am not selected on Friday.