Frans Timmermans

First Vice-President of the European Commission

Frans Timmermans is a Dutch politician who currently serves as First Vice-President of the European Commission and the European Commissioner for the portfolio of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Timmermans previously served as minister for European affairs in the Fourth Balkenende cabinet.

From 1998-2007, he was a member of the House of Representatives of the States General for the Labour Party PvdA).

From 1995-1998, he was advisor and private secretary to Max van der Stoel, the high commissioner on national minorities for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OCSE).

Featured Work

APR 15, 2009 Podcast

From Tolerance to Integration: The Dutch Experience

Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans argues that tolerance and the attitude of "live and let live" is no longer enough. He notes that ...