The candidacy of Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra as the EU’s new commissioner for climate protection has met with growing resistance in his country. A petition against his appointment has already been signed by more than 30,000 people today. This was reported by the citizens’ movement De GoedeZaak (The Good Cause).

There is also criticism from Hoekstra’s own party, the Christian Democratic CDA, and from environmental organisations. The petition calls on parliament to nominate a candidate who takes climate protection seriously.

The Citizens’ Movement wrote that Hoekstra, who worked for the Shell oil company, had not emerged as a climate advocate either as finance minister or Foreign Minister. He is set to succeed Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans. The Social Democrat became the first candidate of the Red-Green Electoral Alliance for the parliamentary elections in November.

Hoekstra was surprisingly proposed by Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the post. He was nominated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday. Hoekstra must now obtain approval from the European Parliament. There was also criticism, especially from the Social Democratic deputies and the Green Party.