The European Elections will take place in the Netherlands on May 23. These are important elections for the Netherlands and deserve more attention than they currently seem to receive. The European Parliament in Brussels seems so far away to many people, but the European Union is increasingly having a say in our domestic politics. Brussels deals with topics that influence matters that we deal with every day: for example, think of the prices in the supermarket that are influenced by trade agreements, the borders in the EU that have disappeared so that you do not have to spend endless hours at a border post during holidays. waiting, international calling at the same rate, water quality that has greatly improved and, for example, online shopping in Germany is now possible because the same rules apply throughout the EU. These are all improvements that we sometimes forget that they were not only achieved through European cooperation, but were made possible by the European Union.

Much more will change in the coming years. The election manifestos of the European parties contain many topics that have a direct impact on Dutch society. We explain a few of them.

climate
Climate protection and developments within the energy sector are highlighted by many of the European parties. For example, the EPP, to which the CDA is affiliated, unexpectedly demands a lot of attention for the climate. We see this reflected in the CDA's program for the European elections, with plans for a circular economy and nature, reduction of the greenhouse effect and sustainable and innovative transport. Tackling climate change also occupies a logically central role among the Greens. For Europe, they want to drive a transition to 100% renewable energy sources and invest in circular technologies in a New Green Deal for Europe. The PvdA mentions a climate fund, kerosene tax and a joint energy policy. ALDE, the European party of D66 and VVD, pays less attention to the climate, but D66 puts energy and the fight against climate change at the top in its own program for the coming elections and advocates a transition to completely clean energy.
The Greens' influence in areas such as energy, climate, technology and general industrial debates is expected to become greater than ever. The fact that even the conservative EPP has added climate change as a threat to the EU and its citizens gives the impression that the EU will continue to pursue policies to limit the effects of climate change.

Health
Some parties focus specifically on health. For example, the EPP proposes to improve cooperation between Member States in the field of cancer and to share more data. The Greens focus on reducing CO2 emissions and pesticides in agriculture. Both the Greens and the PvdA also mention that it is important that everyone has access to care and that medicines remain available.

European unity
Lately we have seen many reports in the media about changes at a geopolitical level: China is becoming more important, the US is primarily focusing on its own country. The EU should focus on maintaining its dominant economic role on the world stage. ALDE focuses explicitly on reforming the EU from within, for example through greater subsidiarity and targeted spending from the EU budget. It appears that the ALDE Group, which through its collaboration with the French La Republique En Marche! the ALDE Group's “renaissance” list, which is likely to rise in the polls, will gain influence. The question remains to what extent the members of the ALDE Group will be guided by Macron's plans to reform the EU and vice versa.

This European unity extends beyond its economic role on the world stage. European unity regarding defense and digitalization is also of great importance at a global level. In both areas, the individual member states have no clout and close cooperation is still lacking. This is a sensitive issue even within the European groups. For example, D66 and the VVD do not agree at all about a possible European army and there is also a lot of division about the construction of new digital networks, including the 5G network.

And then we haven't even talked about immigration, competitiveness, agriculture, solidarity, possible expansion of the EU, tax rates, Brexit, etc. etc. All in all, many issues that make it logical and important to pay a lot of attention to the elections of the European Parliament and especially to vote!

With thanks to Thomas Kerstens and Daniel Benjamens from our partner agency APCO Worldwide for their insights into the European election programs and the associated interests. Want to know more about what Europe will mean for your sector? Please contact De Issuemakers!