The pact has several enemies, mainly in Europe and in Paris, where several ministers reject it. But the French are not alone and Belgium, with its convoluted institutional structure, could block it.

Sources from the European Commission explain that, with Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, a great defender of the pact, within days of leaving office - the new European Commission takes office on December 1 - the agreement sleeps in a drawer waiting for its successor Irishman Phil Hogan take the reins. And that the new European Commission has no intention of putting it to the signature of governments (first step in the ratification process) until the 28 (27 after Brexit) agree.