The European Commission announced the resignation of Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice President responsible for climate, as he prepares to run in the Dutch parliamentary elections, according to the German news agency (dpa).
The Dutch politician has spent 10 years in the Commission, overseeing the European Green Deal, which is the EU's main policy for mitigating climate change. He previously held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands before joining the European Union in 2014.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has appointed European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to take over the Green Deal portfolio from Timmermans and to assume his responsibilities in climate policy. She has also requested The Hague to propose a Dutch candidate to fill the vacant position.
