Frans Timmermans says he may be finished with politics after election defeat

Frans Timmermans has ruled out a political comeback, saying it’s “highly unlikely” he will return to the field. Speaking with RTL Tonight journalist Jaïr Ferwerda, the former GroenLinks–PvdA leader made it clear he has no interest in taking a ministerial position, even if his party joins the next government.

Timmermans resigned as party leader after disappointing election results. The outcome was “not good,” but that does not automatically mean that he is retiring. Timmermans stated his intention to work for around seven more years. “I do not know what I want to do; I will see what comes my way.”

GroenLinks-PvdA lost five out of its 25 seats in parliament in the election for the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament. He has since been replaced in the role by Jesse Klaver.

Timmermans admitted that discussions about him often centered on his image. “It seemed to preoccupy everyone,” he remarked. He rejected the notion that he sought “honor and glory,” adding that if that had been his motivation, he would have simply remained in Brussels.

The former party leader said he devoted his “full energy” to making the merger between GroenLinks and PvdA a success. With the process now moving forward, he said he looks back on it with a “sense of satisfaction.”