EU Green Deal chief Frans Timmermans has formally submitted his resignation from the European Commission after confirming that he will lead a coalition led by the Dutch labour party into November’s general elections.
A statement from the EU executive on Tuesday (22 August) confirmed that fellow Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, currently responsible for interinstitutional relations, will take over Timmermans’ portfolio in charge of the European Green Deal and the bloc’s climate action policy.
The Green Deal has been at the heart of Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission’s mandate since 2019.
The move comes as no surprise since Timmermans has been expected to return to Dutch politics ever since Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would stand down at the November polls after being in power for more than a decade. However, Timmermans could have opted to take unpaid leave of absence to contest the elections rather than resign.
Timmermans secured the support of 91.8% of members from the Labour and Green parties to become the coalition’s candidate for the Dutch prime minister.
While Rutte’s liberal VVD party currently tops the opinion polls, voting intentions suggest that they will be unable to form a government with their current coalition partners, the Christian Union and the social liberal D66.
The Dutch farmers’ party, which topped the polls in municipal elections earlier this year, could be a kingmaker following the elections, and insiders have indicated that they appear more amenable to forming a coalition with the left/green alliance that Timmermans will head up.
In a statement, Commission President von der Leyen praised Timmermans’ “passionate and tireless work to make the European Green Deal a reality”.
“Thanks to his excellent contribution and strong personal engagement, we have made great strides towards meeting the EU’s objectives to become the first climate neutral continent, and towards raising the levels of climate ambition globally,” von der Leyen said.
The departure of Timmermans will leave something of a vacuum in terms of the EU’s diplomatic efforts on climate change and green policy. The Dutch politician has been one of the lead negotiators at the annual UN COP climate change summits.
Von der Leyen indicated that Šefčovič’s main tasks would be to strengthen industrial clean innovation, boost access to critical raw materials, and oversee the implementation of the European Green Deal.
Timmermans’ departure could also complicate the conclusion of the Nature Restoration Law, on which negotiations between MEPs and national ministers will take place in autumn, and the implementation of swathes of new legislation designed to slash European carbon emissions.
The Commission chief has also sent a formal letter to the Dutch government requesting names of a female and a male candidate to replace Timmermans as the country’s new commissioner. However, following Šefčovič’s appointment it is unclear what portfolio the new Dutch commissioner would be allocated.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
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