DEVENTER, Netherlands — EU climate chief Frans Timmermans is within touching distance of leading an alliance of social democrats and greens into Dutch elections in November after the two parties on Friday nominated him as the sole candidate to be their leader.
Senior politicians from both parties have rallied behind the European commissioner, a former Dutch foreign minister, with no other candidates daring to challenge his shot at becoming prime minister.
The only remaining step is a vote by members of both parties on August 14, which is viewed as a formality; members can vote for Timmermans or choose “none of the candidates.” The winner will be announced on August 22, at which point Timmermans would have to take a leave of absence from the European Commission, where he acts as one of three executive vice presidents.
According to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls, the joint PvdA and GroenLinks list Timmermans is set to lead — newly agreed on July 17 — is polling highest, in a fragmented Dutch political landscape where a plethora of parties will compete for 150 parliamentary seats.
His imminent departure from Brussels will leave a commissioner spot empty, and it is not yet clear whom The Hague could nominate to fill that spot until European elections next June — if indeed they do.
Dutch politics is undergoing major upheaval, at the end of liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s 13 years in power and with a slew of other party leaders announcing they’re stepping down.
Timmermans, of the Netherlands’ social democratic Labor Party (PvdA), has built a reputation in Brussels as a socialist stalwart with strong green credentials. But he will face stiff opposition from parties skeptical about new EU environmental legislation that he crafted, including from the Farmer-Citizen Movement or BBB, which dominated provincial elections in March.
In a press release, the parties quoted Timmermans on his priorities: “The climate crisis, growing inequality, a failing government, international security: they require a decisive approach that can count on broad support among the population. And that starts with trust.”
Karl Mathiesen contributed reporting.