The Socialists & Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament wants the European Commission’s climate portfolio to remain under their auspices until the end of the parliamentary term.
The Hague announced on Thursday that it had chosen Christian Democrat Wopke Hoekstra (EPP) to become the new Dutch European Commissioner, replacing Frans Timmermans who has resigned to return to Dutch politics.
Timmermans was previously Vice-President of the European Commission of the Green Deal, the strategy aimed at making the EU climate-neutral by 2050. He also held the climate portfolio.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Slovakian S&D Commissioner Maros Sefcovic will take over Timmermans’ duties as Vice-President of the Green Deal, but she has not specified who will take over the Climate portfolio.
As previously reported, she had also sent a formal letter to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands including a request to suggest names of a female and a male candidate for a new Commissioner of Dutch nationality.
The European Social Democrats are pushing back against Hoekstra's nomination, as he is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), which has been leading the opposing to the European nature restoration law put forward by Timmermans.
When questioned on Friday, the Commission indicated that Hoekstra would be allocated a portfolio on the basis of his profile and qualifications.
Like all European Commissioners, Hoekstra's appointment in Brussels will require the support of a majority of MEPs, and the S&D group is the second largest group in the Parliament.
