EU’s Climate Chief Seeks Premier Job In Netherlands
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BRUSSELS/THE HAGUE (Worthy News) – The European Union’s climate chief Frans Timmermans said Friday that he wants to become the next prime minister of the Netherlands.
Timmermans, seen by critics as the bloc’s “green guru” and “green pope,” announced his candidacy to lead the ticket for Labour and Green Left parties. They join forces before the November 22 elections to stem a decline in support for left-leaning parties.
“This morning, I told the Labour and Green Left parties that I would love to be a candidate to lead them in the next elections,” Timmermans said on national Dutch television.
“I want to become prime minister because I think we can do politics differently than in recent years, that we can create a more just society, in which the market serves the people and not the other way around.”
Polls show Timmermans could attract many voters. The elections come after the four-party coalition government of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte resigned earlier this month as they failed to reach an agreement on restricting immigration.
Timmermans, a former Dutch foreign minister, isn’t welcomed by the anti-Islam PVV party, the largest opposition party in Parliament.
“Frans Timmermans is the worst thing that can happen to the Netherlands—Sigrid Kaag with a beard and then worse,” said PVV leader Geert Wilders. “[He is for] maximum climate and nitrogen madness, for more EU, for more diversity, woke and asylum. The total downfall of the Netherlands. […],” Wilders added on the social network Twitter.
MINISTER LEAVING
Outgoing Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag announced her departure from Dutch politics this week, citing “fears” for her “safety” after threats and verbal attacks, including from Wilders himself.
Timmermans’ decision to leave his position as EU climate chief provoked tough reactions among right-wing politicians.
“He will not be missed. How much damage this gentleman has done, we count on the Dutch voters to treat him as he deserves,” Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Lega (ID) leader Matteo Salvini wrote on Twitter.
Timmermans had been at loggerheads with conservative and right-wing EU groups due to his advocacy for the EU Nature Restoration Law.
The proposed legislation would introduce binding targets for EU countries to restore their natural habitats. It was met with fierce opposition by the conservative European Peoples Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament.
While a softer version of the original proposal passed through the EU’s European Council of government leaders in June, several EU countries – including Italy and the Netherlands – opposed it.
They cited concerns about food production, renewable energy, and housing.
FARMERS PROTEST
The law’s potential effect is feared by Dutch farmers who have rallied against the government climate and nitrogen policies.
They fear that EU targets could lead to the collapse of the famed Dutch agriculture sector as many farmers will have to end their businesses.
Timmermans had publicly clashed with the leader of the new BoerBurgerBeweging or ‘Farmer-Citizen Movement’ (BBB), Caroline van der Plas, about lowering nitrogen emissions.
Van der Plas promotes “nature policy” rather than nitrogen measures and opposes mandatory buyouts of farmers.
When both politicians met to discuss the matter in April, Timmermans said the BBB “can’t get around the problem of nitrogen,” although he praised her for promising to adhere to EU rules.
The 62-year-old Timmermans is expected to extend his green policies further if he wins enough votes to become the next Dutch prime minister.