Barnier talks tough on immigration in quest for France's centre-right presidential ticket

FILE PHOTO: The European Union's former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speaks at the Chatham House think-tank in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, now seeking the centre-right ticket in France's 2022 election, said the country was deeply divided and accused President Emmanuel Macron of being oblivious to the daily worries of citizens.

Barnier said that what he called out-of-control immigration was weakening France's sense of identity - a pitch to voters within conservative circles of the political right as he seeks to counter the far right.