The Left criticizes the appointment of Hoekstra as Timmermans’ successor.

“Frans Timmermans convincingly advocated for the interests of the public in strong and effective climate legislation. His departure from the European Commission leaves a gap that the proposed candidate, Wopke Hoekstra, is not able to fill. Tilting the political balance in favour of the political right is incomprehensible. Appointing an EPP candidate to succeed a Social Democrat is extremely unsportsmanlike of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. To resist the attempts of conservatives and the far-right to dilute climate policy, a strong supporter of the European Green Deal is needed, not a representative of the backlash coalition,” explain the co-chairs of The Left, Manon Aubry (La France insoumise, France) and Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany).

“The global climate and biodiversity crises are intensifying, while much-needed measures for a greener, more socially and animal-friendly Europe are under heavy attack by corporate lobbyists and their political representatives. Wopke Hoekstra is a former Shell employee and a member of a party that has systematically been trying to sabotage important parts of the European Green Deal such as the Nature Restoration Law,” says Left MEP Anja Hazekamp (Partij voor de Dieren, The Netherlands).

The Left group is committed to a socially just transition, because climate change is class struggle. Climate change is largely fuelled by the capitalist economic system that prioritises short-term profits of a few and ruthlessly exploits the planet’s resources.