First vice-president for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Frans Timmermans' full title echoes Gilbert and Sullivan's parody figure Pooh-Bah in "The Mikado". But for some, including the press in Mr Timmermans' native Netherlands, a simpler moniker applies: Dr No. The bureaucratic ring of Mr Timmermans' official description belies the formidable challenge of his role, which is to get Europe to do less. Since November Mr Timmermans, a former Dutch diplomat and foreign minister, has served as number two to the most powerful player in the European bureaucracy: Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission (the European Union's executive arm). Mr Timmermans, Mr Juncker said, would be his "right hand". In fact he has been more of a sponge, soaking up difficult issues as they arise, from sustainable development to a controversial article in a transatlantic trade deal.
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