Frans Timmermans, the current European commissioner, is set to make a return to Dutch politics as he has volunteered to lead the joint PvdA/GroenLinks campaign for the

upcoming November general election. According to reports from Volkskrant on Thursday, Timmermans has informed commission president Ursula von der Leyen of his intention to step down from his role at the European Commission.

At 62 years old, Timmermans has a strong political background, having previously served as an MP for PvdA and as the foreign affairs minister in Mark Rutte's second cabinet. He joined the European Commission in 2014 and currently holds the position of deputy chairman, overseeing the EU's Green Deal initiative to achieve climate neutrality.

In an interview with broadcaster NOS, Timmermans expressed his belief in the need to unite the Netherlands instead of further dividing it. He emphasized that the country must regain its confidence in the face of significant challenges like climate change, conflicts on Europe's borders, and inequality. To address these issues, Timmermans stressed the importance of standing together and working in harmony.

Regarding immigration, Timmermans advocated for a policy that is both strict and just. He vehemently opposed separating families, citing the contentious issue as a factor that contributed to the fall of the current cabinet.

As the first potential joint campaign leader for the GroenLinks/PvdA alliance, Timmermans brings substantial experience to the table. Amsterdam's PvdA leader, Marjolein Moorman, has reportedly thrown her support behind Timmermans, and it is expected that the two parties' leadership will endorse his candidacy in August to avoid a contentious leadership contest.

Members of both parties have shown overwhelming support for the partial merger, and early opinion polls suggest that it could prove to be a significant vote winner. Timmermans' candidacy will put him in competition with the VVD's preferred candidate, Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgöz, and the BBB's Caroline van der Plas during the election campaign. Photo by Partij van de Arbeid, Wikimedia commons.