Commission proposes controversial candidate to head EU climate action

The European Commission put forward deputy Dutch Prime Minister Wopke Hoekstra on Tuesday (29 August) to head the EU’s climate action following Frans Timmermans’ resignation – but environmental organisations and politicians have already raised concerns.

Former Commission Vice President Timmermans resigned from his role as EU climate chief to return to Dutch politics, leaving big shoes to fill ahead of the COP28 climate conference and the final push to approve Europe’s new green legislation.

In his wake, the Dutch government appointed deputy prime minister Wopke Hoekstra to replace Timmermans, a nomination still to be discussed with the European Parliament.

On Tuesday, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced she had recommended the right-wing Dutchman for the climate portfolio left vacant by Timmermans, a socialist.

According to von der Leyen, Hoekstra “stressed during the interview his commitment to continuing an ambitious climate policy and to maintaining a social balance in all necessary joint efforts on the road to climate neutrality”.

Following a consultation with the European Parliament, he will work under the guidance of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, currently responsible for interinstitutional relations and who has taken over Timmermans’ vice-presidency in charge of the European Green Deal.

Dutch Commissioner hopeful Hoekstra slammed for lack of climate credentials

Dutch MEPs and climate groups have slammed Wopke Hoekstra (CDA/Renew) ‐  the Dutch government’s pick to replace former EU climate chief Frans Timmermans ‐ citing his perceived lack of climate credentials.

Hoekstra’s confirmation “not a done deal”

However, not everyone is convinced.

“I was not very enthusiastic upon hearing about Hoekstra’s nomination. He has never shown any interest or ambition regarding climate policy before,” Mohammed Chahim, the Dutch Socialists and Democrats vice-president for the European Green Deal, told EURACTIV.

“It is also problematic that the climate portfolio would be entrusted to the political family that attempted to undermine the Nature Restoration Law over the past six months,” he added.

Hoektra is a Christian Democrat affiliated to the European People’s Party (EPP), which faced criticism earlier in the summer following its campaign to scrap the EU’s proposed Nature Restoration Law.

“If we are to grant our approval for his appointment as Commissioner, we will require numerous assurances regarding his dedication to both climate and social justice,” said Chahim.

Pascal Canfin, a French lawmaker who chairs the European Parliament’s environment committee, also flagged concerns, saying climate policy “has been at the centre the EU’s action for the last past years, and should remain so.”

“He will have to prove that he is the right man to keep on delivering this high level of ambition,” said Canfin, who is from the centrist Renew Europe political group in Parliament.

“Mr Hoekstra’s confirmation is therefore not a done deal as he needs to be confirmed by a 2/3 majority of the coordinators of the environment committee,” he warned.

EU lawmakers promise rough ride for Hoekstra over COVID controversy

The European Parliament’s Socialist group has promised a rough ride for Wopke Hoekstra, the Dutch nominee to replace Frans Timmermans as European Commission Vice-President, citing controversial remarks about south European states during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environmental organisations were not convinced either.

“Europe and the world is in a climate emergency. We have concerns about Wopke Hoekstra possibly taking over the Climate Commissioner’s role,” Climate Action Network Europe said on X, formerly Twitter.

“[European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen] needs to choose an ambitious EU leader who has proven experience and credentials that can drive the EU climate agenda,” the NGO added.

Meanwhile, director of Greenpeace Nederland criticised the potential appointment last week on X, posting: “Say what? Hoekstra to Europe? On climate and nature? A former Shell employee, who gave billions of support to [Dutch airline] KLM without sustainable conditions, who blew up the nitrogen crisis and thereby abandoned nature, should not be given such a crucial post.”

However, the Commission stressed Hoekstra’s credentials, including “significant experience on European issues” and said he “showed strong motivation for the post and great commitment to the European Union”.

“His governmental experience will be a strong asset in particular for Europe’s climate diplomacy in the run-up to COP28 and for climate finance, as well as for the implementation of climate-related legislative instruments,” the EU executive added.

Hoekstra’s own EPP is also weighing in on his potential appointment, with member of the environment committee Peter Liese writing on X that he expects the Dutchman to put more emphasis on international climate negotiations than his predecessor.

The European Parliament will be consulted about the appointment and Hoekstra will head up climate action until the end of the Commission’s current mandate, which runs until 31 October 2024.

Šefčovič to take over as EU's Green Tsar as Timmermans heads for Dutch elections

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. 

[Edited by Frédéric Simon and Nathalie Weatherald. Additional reporting by Frédéric Simon]

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