Timmermans named First VP of European Commission
Frans Timmermans (PvdA) has been named the First Vice President of the new European Commission. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker just announced this at a press conference. The First Vice President usually takes on the main role of a Vice President - standing in for the President in his absence. Timmermans has previously been linked with this post. According to NRC.nl's Twitter correspondent, Timmermans will be responsible for better regulation, inter-institutional relations, rule of law and charter of fundamental rights. Juncker, nominated by the Euro Parliament and the new Commission President, announced in Brussels how he has divided the posts. There are 28 members of the Commission, one member for each EU Member state.
If Juncker's new commission is approved by the European Parliament, they can take office on November 1st. The Netherlands will then get a new Minister of Foreign Affairs. Bert Koenders has been mentioned as Timmermans' possible successor.
