Frans Timmermans is leaving the EU Commission with immediate effect to become the leading candidate of the Social Democrats and the Greens in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. Responsibility for the Green Deal will be taken over by Slovakian Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday. His focus will be less on new legislative proposals than on the implementation of the agreed plans and the dialogue with industry, farmers and forest owners.