The Hague [Netherlands], September 1: The nomination of Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra as the new European Union commissioner for climate action has been met with increasing opposition in the Netherlands.
An online petition created by the citizens' movement De GoedeZaak (The Good Cause) to oppose Hoekstra's appointment had been signed by more than 30,000 people on Thursday.
There is also criticism within Hoekstra's own party, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), as well as from environmental organizations.
The petition calls on parliament to nominate a candidate who takes climate change seriously.
Hoekstra, who used to work for the Shell oil company, has not distinguished himself as a protector of the climate, neither as finance minister nor as foreign minister, the citizens' movement said.
"Although Hoekstra has neither the knowledge, skills nor the will to act against a total climate catastrophe, he of all people is nominated as EU commissioner," the group said.
The foreign minister is to succeed fellow Dutchman Frans Timmermans, who is the leading candidate of the coalition between his Labour Party and the Greens in the upcoming parliamentary elections set for November in the Netherlands.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had proposed Hoekstra for the post.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nominated Hoekstra on Tuesday. He must now receive the approval of the European Parliament.
Source: Qatar Tribune
