Earthquake in the European institutions: the Dutch language Frans Timmermans leaves the European Commissionwhere he was vice-president and European commissioner for the climate and the European Green Deal, to seek Dutch elections in the coalition formed by the Labor Party and the Green Left, following the resignation of the government led by Mark Rutte. Specifically, Timmermans requested a ‘leave‘ of the European executive until the result of the elections, which will be held on November 22, and in the event of victory will permanently leave EU posts (in any case a few months before the natural end of the mandate, scheduled for the end of spring 2024).

FRANS TIMMERMANS LEAVES THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION: HIS BATTLES AGAINST CAR POLLUTION

In the automotive sector, this is not trivial news because Timmermans, as the “father” of the European Green Deal, Europe’s maxi plan to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050is the main supporter of stopping petrol and diesel since 2035. The project, definitively approved last March (but still subject to change, especially if next year the majority of the European Parliament changes), foresees the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars from 2035 (with some exceptions) and is part of the wider Fit for 55 package, a series of regulatory reforms designed to reduce harmful emissions 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

THE car folder of Fit for 55 envisages the specific objective of eliminate 55% of greenhouse gases from vehicles (but in reference to 2021) by the end of the decade, then zero CO2 in 2035with a 15% reduction in 2025 as an intermediate step. The 2030 target for vans, set at -50% emissions, is different.

THE OTHER PILLARS OF THE TIMMERMANS CAR FILE

Other pillars of the Green Deal desired by Timmermans in the automotive sector concern the revision of the DAFI directive on refueling stations for alternative fuels, which imposes charging stations every 60 km and hydrogen hubs every 200 km on the Ten-T network, and the new regulations on long-lasting batteries, with labeling and recovery and recycling obligations for raw materials and finished products. Not to mention the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) on raw materials and the Green Deal Industrial Plan on business aid.

Also very important is the advent from 2027 of theETS II for fuel distributors for construction and road transport, a kind of “little brother” of the ETS, the famous Emission Trading System.

TIMMERMANS’S FAREWELL TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION: THE REACTIONS

Of course, the news of Frans Timmermans leaves the European Commission He unleashed opposing reactions based on political beliefs. Regret of the centre-left and ecologist parties, exultation bordering on stadium chants by centre-right forces, with the usual familiar faces of the Italian government in the front row. As if the protection of the environment and the fight against pollution could be reduced to a question of left and right…

We won’t miss it.
How much damage this gentleman has done, we hope Dutch voters treat him as he deserves.https://t.co/W6hk61HJfd

— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) July 20, 2023

Whichever voters choose, Frans Timmermans’ candidacy in the Dutch elections remains good news for Europe, as the commissioner will have to take a hopefully long leave of absence, as prescribed by the code of conduct. Also, his words…

— Adolfo Urso (@adolfo_urso) July 20, 2023