Hoekstra needs to win a positive assessment from the EU Parliament and pass a potentially close vote in the assembly with majority support.
If appointed, Hoekstra is expected to assume responsibility for climate change policies in the EU Commission.
He belongs to the Dutch Christian-Democratic CDA party, part of the European People's Party group in the EU Parliament.
Bas Eickhout, a Green EU lawmaker, said Hoekstra would need to prove his commitment to Europe's climate change agenda.
He'll have a tough time convincing the European Parliament that he's the right man for the job," said Paul Tang, a Dutch Socialist member of the EU Parliament.
Persons:
Wopke Hoekstra, Hoekstra, Frans Timmermans, Timmermans, Maros Sefcovic, Eickhout, Hoekstra's, Paul Tang, Kate Abnett, Bart Meijer, Giles Elgood
Organizations:
EU, Parliament, Dutch Christian, Democratic CDA, European People's Party, EPP, EPP Group, Green Deal, European, Socialist, Dutch Finance, Socialists, Thomson
Locations:
BRUSSELS, Netherlands, Dutch, Europe, EU, The Hague, New EU, Bas, Southern Europe, Spain, Italy