On the day Timmermans submitted his resignation yesterday, Von der Leyen made it clear that the European environmental and climate agenda must not suffer any delays. She also regards the Green Deal as her own flagship. In any case, Von der Leyen cannot afford to let the green agenda stall in the final months before the European elections.
In Brussels, speculation has recently been circulating that the remaining environmental and climate laws under Timmermans would be 'put on the back burner' and thus postponed until after the elections (June 2024). Von der Leyen could have taken over the Green Deal herself, but instead she is promoting her current second vice-president to her new right hand.
The other tasks of Timmermans will be redistributed later on. This depends not only on the appointment of a new Dutch commissioner but also on the early departure of Danish commissioner Vestaeger, who will likely become president of the European Investment Bank later this year.
Promotion
Furthermore, it is not yet clear when the caretaker Rutte cabinet will put forward a successor for Timmermans. Once a Dutch successor is found, Brussels will decide which portfolio that person will receive. It is already clear that this Dutch successor will not take over the function and tasks of Timmermans, meaning that the Netherlands will lose its top position within the European Commission.