Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has accepted the resignation of Frans Timmermans, it was announced on August 22.
According to Euronews, Maroš Šefčovič, the Vice President, will temporarily take over Timmermans' responsibilities until a new Commission member with Dutch citizenship is appointed. Ursula von der Leyen thanked Timmermans for his successful work for the Commission and European citizens.
The 62-year-old Timmermans was sworn in and led a joint list of social democrats (PvdA) and Greens (GroenLinks) in the early elections in the Netherlands this fall, aiming to replace liberal leader Mark Rutte. With less than a year until the European elections, this vote will be closely watched by political observers.
In Brussels, Timmermans was known for his environmental policies since 2019, working under Ursula von der Leyen's leadership. His track record will play a role in the upcoming campaign, as he faces off against the Civil Farmers' Movement, which gained attention through farmers' protests against European norms.
Timmermans' return to Dutch politics coincides with escalating negotiations around the "Green Deal," and some member states and MEPs are advocating for a pause in environmental legislation.
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