In our interview series “Planning and Forming” we speak to experts from various sectors about the issues in their sector, the ways in which they are trying to put them on the agenda in the upcoming coalition agreement and their view of the new House of Representatives. This edition we speak to Mira Levi.

Mira Levi is Public Affairs Manager at Transport Logistiek Nederland. TLN is the trade organization for road transporters and logistics service providers. Transport companies play an important role in our daily lives. About 5,000 companies are members of TLN.

Were you satisfied with the election results? 

There is no advantage or disadvantage for me in this election result. The citizen has spoken and we as TLN are going to work on this. Naturally, the theme of entrepreneurship is more prominent for some parties than for others and it remains important to consider the ways in which regulations influence entrepreneurship.

“Anything to get the issues of the transport sector on the map. These digital forms allowed many more entrepreneurs who are members of TLN to participate in our election activities.”

In what ways have you tried to incorporate these issues into politics?

A year and a half ago, we started publishing our election manifesto called 'Earn together and become more sustainable', with the most important social issues for the transport and logistics sector: think of infrastructure and accessibility, digitalization, combating crime, supervision and sustainability.

We shared the election manifesto with political parties and other important committees and organized working visits. Then of course Corona came, which forced us to change everything and find a new form of communication. We then had digital conversations with politicians, MPs and even organized two digital election debates about mobility and sustainability. We also produced a video series in which entrepreneurs from the sector could ask questions to politicians. Everything to get the issues of the transport sector on the map. These digital forms allowed many more entrepreneurs who are members of TLN to participate in our election activities. In terms of formation, it is a bit more complicated at the moment, as it is a strange formation due to the political unrest.

We have tried to incorporate all of this as much as possible through alliances, whereby we have worked together to convey the most important points to politicians. For example, the Mobility Alliance has put investing in infrastructure and the mobility system more on the map. With the Logistics Alliance, we enter into discussions with politicians about the economic importance of the logistics hub function of the Netherlands. We also use current events. Consider, for example, the blockage of the Suez Canal near Egypt by the container ship Ever Given. The blockade was on the other side of the world but had major implications for all container transport en route to the port of Rotterdam. By working intensively with all logistics parties and the government, we have managed to remove as much freight as possible with as few obstacles as possible. By putting issues on the agenda together, your challenges will receive more attention from politicians. This also strengthens your own individual lobbying processes.

What should remain the same for the next 4 years?

During the past government period, major agreements have been made with society and the business community to get things moving. We still have major social challenges that the government can ultimately only solve together with the business community. I hope that route will be continued. In addition, physical visits to the House of Representatives will hopefully be allowed again soon. The fact that this is not possible now is not good for the distance between citizens and politicians.

What needs to change in the next 4 years?

When the government concludes social agreements, it is important that the government stands for its signature. That is not always the case yet. For us, this applies to the agreements made regarding making transport more sustainable. As a sector, we were counting on financial resources from 2024 to reduce CO2 emissions, but it recently turned out that this will be delayed by several years. Entrepreneurs need a reliable government so that they know where they stand when they make new investments. We make agreements about stricter environmental regulations, and then we expect the government to fulfill its part of the agreements.

Do you think your sector is well represented in the House of Representatives?

There are few entrepreneurs in the Chamber. This has consequences for the way people view transport and logistics. It helps if you, as a politician, know what you are dealing with as an entrepreneur. For example, the investment terms, how investment plans are drawn up, then you know that entrepreneurs need more predictability. For this reason, I think there should be more entrepreneurs in the Chamber.

How do you see the future regarding politics in the Netherlands?

The fact that many more small parties have been added creates more diversity in politics. These are all issue parties that draw attention to a specific issue or sector. This can ensure that more people feel represented and are therefore more involved in politics. And that will undoubtedly also have a positive influence on the large middle parties. This makes me look hopefully and positively to the future.

In addition, more and more complex social challenges are coming our way, which means that I think that political decision-making will become increasingly centralized in order to achieve solutions. We are coming from a period of decentralization and are now clearly going to centralize more, to an increasingly higher political level.