Dutch MEPs advocated for the position of EU climate chief to be in Dutch hands again after Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič preliminarily took over the position from Frans Timmermans on Tuesday.
Timmermans submitted his resignation as EU climate chief after being confirmed as the lead candidate for the joint list of the Dutch Labour (PvdA/S&D) and Green (GL/Greens) parties for the upcoming national elections, with roughly 92% of party members supporting his bid to become Dutch Prime Minister.
With Timmermans leaving his Commission spot, however, it meant the Netherlands no longer had one of its nationals at the EU executive table.
“It is important that Frans Timmermans’ climate portfolio remains in Dutch hands,” MEP Esther de Lange (CDA/EPP) told NOS, pointing towards the crucial importance of the imminent trilogue negotiations concerning the EU Nature Restoration Law.
De Lange’s EPP group heavily opposed the law prior to a crucial vote in the EU parliament last month, citing concerns about its potential effects on food security and the livelihood of farmers. Nevertheless, the law passed through parliament by the slimmest of margins.
The Nature Restoration Law also caused a commotion at the national level, as right-wingers and farmers’ representatives outed concerns that the law may lead to an aggravation of the country’s ongoing nitrogen crisis – a major factor in why Dutch politicians are advocating for the climate chief position to remain in Dutch hands.
Meanwhile, Green MEP Bas Eickhout questioned Šefčovič’s long-term viability as climate chief.
Referring to a press release by the European Commission on the matter, Eickhout tweeted: “Šefčovič takes over Timmermans’ Green Deal portfolio. […] Most experienced Commissioner but also very much a caretaker. […] For now, he also gets the climate portfolio, but the wording there clearly leaves room for the new Dutch nomination”.
It is not yet clear whether the new Dutch nominee will also receive the climate portfolio Timmermans left behind, ultimately up to Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. The outgoing Dutch government will be responsible for proposing Timmermans’ replacement.
De Lange, who leads the EPP group in economic and environmental affairs and figures among the main hopefuls for the vacant Commissioner spot, has already thrust herself into position by praising von der Leyen’s role in the EU’s climate policy.
“She set the frameworks of the Green Deal even before [Timmermans] became Commissioner. I absolutely don’t want to downplay his work because he just did that very well, but this really had to be done,” De Lange stated.
Other hopefuls besides De Lange include outgoing Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra (CDA) and Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren (D66/Renew).
(Benedikt Stöckl | EURACTIV.com)
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