Dutch commissioner Frans Timmermans told the media on Thursday that he intended to return to domestic politics and would run for the position of leader of the combined forces of the left in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The vice-president of the European Commission is to resign from his post in Brussels.
Dutch commissioner Frans Timmermans wants to head a joint left-wing list in the early parliamentary elections due to take place in November due to the fall of Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s cabinet.
The authorities of the Labor Party (PvdA) and the Greens (GreoenLinks) recently announced a joint run in the elections. On Thursday morning, they also announced the selection of the leader of the list. Timmermans, who according to the media, is supported by the leaders of both groups, is tipped for this position.
Frans Timmermans spoke at the Left’s conventiontvn24
– I do not rule out a return to Dutch politics – Timmermans told journalists last week, but avoided clear declarations. Previously, the media speculated about his possible return to Dutch politics. “The corridors of The Hague are buzzing with speculations about Timmermans’ return from Brussels,” wrote the daily Het Parool.
On Thursday, the deputy head of the European Commission confirmed to the media that he would resign from his job in Brussels and return to The Hague. He told the NOS portal that Holland Gigantic challenges await climate crisis, war in Ukraine and social inequalities. “We can only solve these problems if we work hand in hand,” says Timmermans.
Profile of Frans Timmermans
The 62-year-old Dutchman has been working in Brussels for almost ten years. He is currently a Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission. His term ends next year.
Timmermans was previously leader of the PvdA and foreign minister in Marek Rutte’s government from 2012 to 2014, during the party’s coalition with the VVD. In 2019, he was the leader of the Labor Party in the elections to the European Parliament, which then won the largest number of seats of any list.
In 2019, the Dutchman was a favorite to take over the position of the president of the European Commission, but his candidacy was blocked, among others through Poland and Hungary. The Dutch commissioner was known to criticize the governments in Budapest and Warsaw.
Timmermans’ departure means that the outgoing government must find a candidate for the post of Dutch commissioner. There were speculations that Sigrid Kaag, the leader of the D66 coalition party, could go to Brussels. The daily “De Telegraaf” also mentions the candidacy of Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, also from D66.
Main photo source: tvn24