Inside the deal
Special offer
Welcome to Acco Shop! You have just listened to the interesting panel debate with Stefaan De Rynck. For this special occasion we offer you a 20% discount on the book Inside the deal. How the EU got Brexit Done in Acco Shop Leuven (Maria Theresiastraat 2, 3000 Leuven) or online in our webshop.
This offer is valid until 9 May 2023.
About the book
As a close aide to Michel Barnier, Stefaan De Rynck had a ringside seat in the Brexit negotiations. In this frank and uncompromising account, De Rynck demonstrates how the EU-27’s unity held firm while the UK vacillated throughout, changing negotiators, prime ministers, their aims and tactics. From the mood in the room to the technical discussions, he gives an unvarnished account of the process and obstacles that shaped the final deal.This book seeks to dispel some of the myths and spin that became indelibly linked to the Brexit process, such as the EU always compromising at the last minute or Germany having a vested interest in accommodating the UK. May’s deal – rejected three times by the UK parliament – is shown to have been a concession by the EU. Contrary to expectations, Remain MPs never received support from Barnier despite their numerous visits to the Berlaymont building. Attempts by the UK to run down the clock and issue ultimatums to force the EU to acquiesce had no effect on the course of events, but it was in fact easier to negotiate with Johnson than with May.De Rynck tells the EU’s side of the story. Barnier’s team were successful in protecting EU interests, in fulfilling the mandate defined by 27 national governments and still agreeing different forms of Brexit with two UK prime ministers. Brexit was not an EU fight with the UK. It was a fight to get a deal that worked for the EU.
About the author
Stefaan De Rynck was senior advisor to Michel Barnier, the Chief EU Brexit Negotiator from 2016 until 2021. He is an EU official and currently heads the European Commission’s Representation in Belgium, creating a bridge between the EU’s executive and Belgian politics and society. His experience in EU affairs and public policy covers financial services, the EU single market, transport, sustainable urban development, and regional policy. Stefaan De Rynck is a member of the Social Sciences Faculty at KU Leuven and teaches on EU governance. He was previously at the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium) and the Collegio Carlo Alberto at the University of Turin (Italy). He has a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy.