France Sarkozy: France Wants Barnier As EU Commissioner

BRUSSELS -- France will nominate former Minister of Agriculture Michel Barnier as its representative on the European Commission, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday.

Barnier previously was European Commissioner for regional policy. His future role at the commission, the European Union's executive arm, is unclear.

The bloc's member countries nominate individual representatives, before the commission president, currently Jose Manuel Barroso, decides their role.

This process involves a lot of horse-trading and back-room negotiation with national governments. France and other large countries typical vie for powerful posts handling antitrust issues, trade and financial-market regulation.