Frans Timmermans teases Ursula von der Leyen

Frans Timmermans

The Vice President is responsible for the Green Deal in the EU Commission.

(Photo: dpa)

Brussels What Frans Timmermans said on Monday was not particularly friendly to his boss Ursula von der Leyen: “If I were alone in the Commission, a number of decisions would be made differently, including this one,” said the Vice President of the Commission during an appearance in the Luxembourg Parliament.

What was meant was the legal act on the taxonomy, which is criticized in Luxembourg above all for the fact that nuclear power should be considered sustainable there. In Brussels it is said that it was Commission President von der Leyen herself who, at the urging of Germany and France, allowed gas and nuclear power to be included.

Whether that was successful will be decided this Wednesday when the EU Parliament votes on it.

However, taxonomy will certainly no longer be a winning topic. Climate protectors speak of greenwashing, and the war in Ukraine has increased criticism.

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So far, the EU has always criticized Germany’s dependence on Russian gas, saying that the taxonomy would provide further incentives for new gas-fired power plants.

>> Read here: ‘Putin would be the big winner’ – MEPs want to topple taxonomy

Von der Leyen could use the backing of her deputy Timmermans, but he prefers to break away. It was like that at the beginning of June when von der Leyen pushed through the decision to approve Poland’s corona reconstruction plan despite constitutional concerns. Timmermans voted against and made no secret of it.

Von der Leyen is interested in the quietest possible functioning of her authority. On the other hand, she could use a passionate politician like Timmermans. Most commissioners hardly dare to formulate their position independently and pointedly. But Timmermans, who had also applied for the office of Commission President himself, sees himself as a fighter for a good cause.

With his proposals for the “Fit for 55” climate protection package, he went further than many had suspected: he wants to significantly increase the price of CO2, he wants to force trading partners to protect the climate, he wants to ban the combustion engine. Timmermans has already secured the support of parliament and member states for most of the legislation. Some were hardly changed in the legislative process. This shows that the work in the directorates-general under his authority is working well.

>> Read here: Not just e-cars: what the EU climate protection package will bring to the economy and citizens

This is important because the Commission will be given additional powers as part of the climate protection laws. Member States must be able to trust that it will handle this well.

Von der Leyen also needs the successes in climate protection. When she took office, she declared it the most important issue for the next five years. And the restructuring of the energy supply has become even more important as a result of the Ukraine war. As long as Timmermans delivers, he will be able to continue teasing his boss.

More: Ten European energy ministers are sounding the alarm: Europe should go back to nuclear power

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