The Brexit Report

From lArgus de la presse, powered by GMI alliance

Top news in 6 European

countries about Brexit
1

In the U.K

In France

In Belgium

In Germany

In Spain

In Italy

Six leading European

service providers from
the media-monitoring
and analysis industry
have
formed
an
international
alliance
under the name global
media
intelligence
(GMI alliance)
LArgus de la presse
(France),
Auxipress
(Belgium),
Acceso
(Spain),
LEco
della
Stampa
(Italy),
Pressdata
(UK)
and
UNICEPTA
(Germany)
coordinate
their
resources in a total of
15 countries in a bid to
provide customers with
an even better service.

1. In the U.K

28/07/2016

Jean-Claude Juncker has chosen one of the most notorious opponents of

the City to represent Brussels in Brexit talks with Britain. Michel Barnier, the former French
government minister and European commissioner, has previously clashed with the UK
over rules on bankers' bonuses, attempts to relocate City activities to the eurozone and a
shortselling ban. The Frenchman is well-known to his opposite number, David Davis, the
secretary of state for Brexit. A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said: Weve said its
important that both sides prepare for the negotiations. We look forward to working with
representatives from the member states, the Council and the Commission to ensure an
orderly departure of the UK from the EU.
Concerns have been raised that the British economy is beginning to suffer
significant effects from the vote to leave the European Union. The first health checks for
carmakers, retailers and construction firms since Britain voted to leave the EU threaten to
overshadow growth figures that yesterday revealed a stronger-than-expected
performance by the UK in the run-up to the referendum. Despite an expansion of 0.6 per
cent in the British economy between and April and June, the chancellor, Philip
Hammond, made it clear that there would be no repeat of the second quarter GDP
growth in the months following Brexit.
The European Commission has shown it is prepared to play
"hardball" by appointing a former French minister who reportedly holds a grudge against
Britain as head of its Brexit negotiations. Jean-Claude Juncker, the European
Commissioner, has announced the appointment of Michel Barnier, an arch-federalist, as
the chief negotiator for Brussels in the UK's exit talks. Mr Barnier is already acquainted with
David Davis, the new Secretary of state for Brexit, with whom he will negotiate over the
next few years. A diplomatic source told the Telegraph: Its a sign the European
Commission wants to play hardball. He will be a tough negotiator, he is far from a soul
mate for Britain. There are suggestions that he still blames Britain after losing his job as
French foreign minister following their referendum. Theres a bit of resentment against the
UK there.
Britain enjoyed a Brexit bounce yesterday as companies announced thousands of new
jobs, markets rose and official figures showed economic growth accelerated in the runup to the referendum. The economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the three months to the end
of June despite stark warnings from the Government about the risks of leaving the EU.
Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, claimed: There really is no place better in Europe to
grow a business.
Theresa May has said she has an "open mind" about the impending
Brexit negotiations and that Britain should not necessarily adopt a model "that is on the
shelf already". The Prime Minister, who yesterday travelled to Rome to meet the Italian
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, said Italy and the UK had agreed on the importance of
maintaining the closest possible ties once Britain formally leaves the EU.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research has claimed that British
house prices will continue to surge despite the vote to leave the European Union. The
Daily Mail reported on the thinktanks claims that the average home would be worth
40,000 more in five years.
European Union boss Jean-Claude Juncker was yesterday accused of
taking "revenge" on Britain by making a Frenchman who champions a United States of
Europe his head of Brexit talks. Michel Barnier is said to blame Britain for losing his French
government job and is disliked in the City of London for the tough new rules he
introduced after the 2008 global financial crash as EU Commission financial services chief
from 2010 until 2014.

BULLETIN D'INFORMATIONS
RSERV AUX EMPLOYS

PAGE 2

28/07/2016

2. In France
Michel Barnier appointed head of the Brexit negociations
The Frenchman, Michel Barnier has been chosen by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European
Commission, to lead the negotiations between the UE and Great-Britain. Seen as one of the most
notorious opponents of the City in London, the former French government minister and European
commissioner earned respect a few years ago by passing 41 bills in order to regulate finance, such as the
Banking Union, always finding an agreement with Britons. He will gather his team before October 1 st, and
have the responsibility to negotiate the Brexit for 2 years maximum, as soon as the article 50 will have
been triggered by Mays government. The new relationship between Great-Britain and the EU could be
based on the Norvegian pattern, relatively integrated, with an access to the EU Single Market, or a bit
more distant, like the Swiss. Barnier was complaining a few weeks ago that nobody trusts Europe
anymore defending the idea of a true Europe, just before his nomination.
Brexit : Michel Barnier nomm responsable des ngociations S. Bauer
Michel Barnier un mister Brexit bien peu anglophile J. Quatremer
Michel Barnier ngociera le Brexit

3. In Belgium
Former French European Commissioner to lead Brexit negotiations
Former French European Commissioner Michel Barnier will lead the Brexit negotiations for the European
Commission. He has been appointed by Jean-Claude Juncker. "I am very happy my friend Michel Barnier
accepted this important and difficult task," said Mr Juncker. "He has an extensive network of contacts in
the capitals of all EU member states and in the European Parliament, which I think is a valuable advantage
for this function." Until Prime Minister Theresa May activates Article 50, Mr Barnier will make preparations for
the work at hand. It is noted Didier Seeuws will lead the Brexit Task Force for the member states.
Michel Barnier as Chief negotiator for Brexit matters
www.lalibre.be announces that EC President Jean-Claude Juncker appointed former Commissioner
Michel Barnier as Chief negotiator for Brexit matters. De Tijd draws the portrait of Michel Barnier. The fact
the European Council already appointed Didier Seeuws shows how complex the EU is. Furthermore, Mr
Barnier's appointment also shows how politically sensitive and complicated the negotiations are
becoming. With Mr Barnier, EC President Jean-Claude Juncker puts a peculiar man at the head of his
Brexit team. Twice Mr Barnier worked as European Commissioner. The French and the Germans are now
represented in the EC's Brexit team. How the team will work with Mr Seeuws is not known. L'Echo believes
Europe could not ask for a better champion to defend it against the British diplomacy during the Brexit
negotiations. President Juncker said he "was very pleased his friend accepted the task." Mr Barnier reacted
on Twitter saying he was honoured by President Juncker's trust.
Quotes with respect to the Brexit
quotes Matteo Renzi: "The Brexit is a decision that we do not like. Still, it is a decision that we
respect and that needs a clear schedule." De Tijd quotes Theresa May: "We have to create a model in
which both the EU and the UK feel good. We do not need to opt for a model that already exists."

PAGE 3

BULLETIN D'INFORMATIONS
RSERV AUX EMPLOYS

28/07/2016
4. In Germany
Deutsche Konsumenten pessimistischer / German consumers more pessimistic
The Gfk consumer climate index for August has declined by 0.1 to 10.0 points, the Nuremberg-based
market research institute said Wednesday. The main reason for the first decline after three successive
increases in consumer confidence is the Brexit, with around half of all consumers expecting it to have a
negative impact on the German economy. While 40% of consumers think the Brexit may lead to job
losses in Germany, 95% think their own job is secure, which bodes well for German consumption.
Santander sprt noch keine Folgen des Brexit / Santander does not yet feel any
effects of the Brexit
The half-year results of Spanish bank Santander show that it has coped better than analyst expected
with the volatility in its two most important markets, the UK and Brazil. In the first half of this fiscal, the
bank may only have earned EUR 2.9 billion, which is 32 percent less than in same period in 2015, but this
result is down to currency effects and special items, the bank stated.

5. In Spain
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has appointed the former Commissioner
and former French Minister Michel Barnier as chief negotiator in the UKs departure process. After this
appointment the newspaper El Pas has highlighted the UKs misgivings to the appointment of Barnier as
commissioner in 2010, qualifying him as "the most dangerous man in Europe". Both newspapers reported in
their pages that the first conversation between the EU and the United Kingdom is scheduled for October 1
although the Brexit process would not begin until Mays government convened the Article 50. After this
designation the analyst Laura Paolini, in the newspaper Expansin, stresses the importance in recent years
of politics in the evolution of international markets and the importance of reaching agreements not
preferential to UK, to avoid contagion from the separatist trend to the rest of Europe, appearing in favour
of free trade agreements, similar to Norways that benefit both parties and avoid a collapse of the British
economy that could delay the process.
Barnier, el europesta que negociar el 'Brexit'
El francs Barnier negociar por la UE el adis britnico - lvaro Snchez
La poltica, fundamental para los mercados - Laura Paolini
The real state agency Wimpey, with interest on the Spanish coast, and in front of the expected
depreciation of the pound against the euro, has decided to reduce the risks of a possible drop in sales in
Spain with a debt issue in euros for cover investments", so the titles associated with Spanish properties will
give 2% interest until 2023.
Wimpey protege del Brexit a sus casas en Espaa - Alberto Casado

BULLETIN D'INFORMATIONS
RSERV AUX EMPLOYS

PAGE 4

28/07/2016
6. In Italy
Il Sole 24 Ore (Marco Valsania) reports that the Federal Reserve does not fear Brexits consequences on
the economy.
The new British Prime Minister Theresa May has met the Italian prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome : during
their meeting May made clear that the 600.000 Italians working in the UK must fear no consequences
related to the Brexit (Corriere della Sera).
Paola Peduzzi (Il Foglio) reads the May-Renzi meeting under a different light, hinting that the British Prime
Minister is not in possession of a definitive Brexit plan and that the European Union has started reacting to
the consequent uncertainty.
Panorama explains how Brexit is having a positive impact on the Milanese real estate development
market. Milan is also very likely to host the headquarters of the European Banking Authority when the latter
will leave London.
Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that Juncker has chosen former French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier to run the
Brexit negotiations: Barnier was also vice president of the European Commission for the unified market
during the crisis years.
La Fed non teme Brexit : meno rischi per leconomia
Italiani a Londra, May rassicura e Renzi affronta il caso regeni
Perche nellagenda di May non ce ancora un vero piano per la Brexit
Ma la Brexit fa bene al mattone (anche a Milano)
Brexit, Juncker sceglie il francese Bernier per i negoziati