Frans Timmermans
Franciscus Cornelis Gerardus Maria "Frans" Timmermans (Dutch pronunciation: [frɑnˈsɪskʏs kɔrˈneːlɪs xeːˈrɑrdʏs frɑns ˈtɪmərˌmɑns]; born 6 May 1961) is a Dutch politician who most recently served as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal and European Commissioner for Climate Action in the von der Leyen Commission from 2019 until his resignation in 2023. He is a member of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA).
Frans Timmermans | |
|---|---|
Timmermans in 2023 | |
| Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal | |
| In office 1 December 2019 – 22 August 2023 | |
| President | Ursula von der Leyen |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Maroš Šefčovič |
| European Commissioner for Climate Action | |
| In office 1 December 2019 – 22 August 2023 | |
| President | Ursula von der Leyen |
| Preceded by | Miguel Arias Cañete |
| Succeeded by | Maroš Šefčovič (acting) |
| First Vice President of the European Commission | |
| In office 1 November 2014 – 30 November 2019 | |
| President | Jean-Claude Juncker |
| Preceded by | Catherine Ashton |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 5 November 2012 – 17 October 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Uri Rosenthal |
| Succeeded by | Bert Koenders |
| State Secretary for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 22 February 2007 – 23 February 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Preceded by | Atzo Nicolaï |
| Succeeded by | Ben Knapen |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 6 December 2023 | |
| In office 9 June 2010 – 5 November 2012 | |
| In office 6 May 1998 – 22 February 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Franciscus Cornelis Gerardus Maria Timmermans 6 May 1961 Maastricht, Netherlands |
| Political party | Labour Party (1990–present) GroenLinks–PvdA (2023–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democrats 66 (1985) Party of European Socialists |
| Spouse |
Irene Timmermans (m. 2000) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Radboud University (BA, MA) Nancy 2 University (LLM, MA) |
Timmermans previously served as First Vice-President to Jean-Claude Juncker and European Commissioner for Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights from 2014 to 2019. He was the lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES) for President of the European Commission in the European election that was held in May 2019.
Timmermans was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands from 2012 to 2014 in the Second Rutte cabinet and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2010 in the Fourth Balkenende cabinet, in charge of European Affairs. He was a member of the Dutch House of Representatives for the Labour Party from 1998 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2012. He was a civil servant in the diplomatic service of the Netherlands from 1987 to 1998, when he became active in politics.
In July 2023, Timmermans announced his intention to become the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands and to contest the 2023 general election for the GroenLinks–PvdA alliance. On 22 August 2023, he was elected as lead candidate by members of both parties. Timmermans led GL–PvdA into the election, with the joint list receiving 15.5% of the total vote and 25 seats in the House of Representatives, an increase of 8 seats.