New Cabinet wants Wopke Hoekstra to remain the Netherlands' European Commissioner

The new government wants Wopke Hoekstra (CDA) to remain the European Commissioner for the Netherlands. The PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB coalition has nominated him to the president of the European Commission, sources told NOS and RTL Nieuws.

Hoekstra became the European Commission for Climate in October last year when his predecessor, Frans Timmermans, returned to Dutch politics to lead GroenLinks-PvdA. At that time, Hoekstra was still the outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Rutte IV Cabinet. It is striking that the new Cabinet again nominated Hoekstra, given that the CDA is not part of the coalition.

If Hoesktra remains the Netherlands’ European Commissioner, he may get a different portfolio than climate. Prime Minister Dick Schoof recently said he was aiming for an economic post. “These are important items for the Netherlands: the economy and trade files.”

Hoekstra also has more experience in this field than in climate. He was Minister of Finance in the Rutte III Cabinet.