Following his decision to be a candidate in the forthcoming general election campaign in the Netherlands, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans has submitted his resignation as Member of the European Commission.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has decided to assign the role of Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal to Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. She has also decided to temporarily assign the portfolio responsibility for Climate Action Policy to Vice-President Šefčovič until the appointment of a new Member of the Commission of Dutch nationality.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “I thank Frans Timmermans for his passionate and tireless work to make the European Green Deal a reality. He has been a key member of my College of Commissioners. Thanks to his excellent contribution and strong personal engagement, we have made great strides towards meeting the EU’s objectives to become the first climate neutral continent, and towards raising the levels of climate ambition globally. Frans Timmermans’ contribution to the work of the Commission and to the European project goes beyond the European Green Deal. He has contributed to shaping many of the Commission’s initiatives, in a true collegial style.”

Executive Vice-President Timmermans also served in the European Commission in 2014-2019 as First Vice-President in charge of better regulation, inter-institutional relations, rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, before taking responsibilities for the European Green Deal in the current Commission mandate.

In this role, he coordinated the European Commission’s ambitious legislative agenda to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and represented the EU in international negotiations on climate change.

He also coordinated the European Commission’s work on the EU’s biodiversity strategy, on a zero-pollution future and on the circular economy.