News

Read the latest update on Dutch politics from our Swedish Chamber of Commerce member In a stunning turn of events, the coalition government led by Prime Minister Rutte has collapsed, citing a lack of consensus among the four coalition parties on migration policy. Following a final meeting on Friday, July 7, it became evident that further cooperation was unattainable. In addition, Prime Minister Rutte, who has been in power since 2010 and is renowned as the second-longest serving leader in the European Union, announced his decision to step away from politics. In a heartfelt statement made to the House of Representatives this morning, he expressed his intention not to run for another term in the upcoming elections, signaling the end of an era in Dutch politics.

Caretaker cabinet

Consequently, the current cabinet has transitioned into a caretaker cabinet, effective immediately. While operating with similar powers to a regular cabinet, the caretaker cabinet will solely address pending matters deemed urgent and non-controversial. The determination of controversial topics rests with the House of Representatives, which is expected to make declarations during a plenary debate (expected beginning of September). The process of identifying controversial topics involves a series of steps. Each parliamentary committee will hold additional procedural meetings, specifically dedicated to deliberating on the status of ongoing matters. The decision-making process entails a majority vote to classify a topic as controversial. However, the voices of the minority within a committee can be respected when declaring specific issues as controversial. It’s expected that budget-related topics in particular could be debated in the coming period, as Budget Day takes place on 19 September anyway.

New elections

Simultaneously, preparations for new elections are underway, which are expected to take place mid-November 2023. Political parties are currently engaged in activities such as selecting their leaders, establishing election program committees, and compiling candidate lists for the House of Representatives. Party congresses are scheduled, providing a platform for the election of political leaders and the formation of committees. Similar to VVD/Liberal Conservatives of PM Rutte, at least CDA/Christian Democrats and GroenLinks/Greens-PvdA/Social Democrats (who’ll share a candidate list) have to choose a new leader. As this evolving situation unfolds, it is crucial for stakeholders to remain vigilant and stay abreast of the latest developments. Public Matters, the leading public affairs & lobby consultancy in the Netherlands, is dedicated to monitoring political affairs, is committed to providing timely updates on the process leading to a new cabinet and coalition agreement, as well as highlighting opportunities for influence during this transformative period. Visit the Public Matters website for more information on the political situation in the Netherlands. Photo credits: Martijn Beekman

On June 29, 2023, we had the pleasure of launching the Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast series by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce. This event was hosted by Volvo Car Netherlands BV and aimed to inspire and empower business leaders in creating inclusive and diverse workplaces. The morning began with a delightful breakfast, followed by a presentation from Patricia van Hazendonk, People Experience & Competence and Management Team Member at Volvo Cars Netherlands, who shared insights into Volvo Cars’ Diversity & Inclusion strategy and the Volvo Family Bond Program. Next, Wendy Broersen, CEO/Founder of Superpeople Company, took the stage. Wendy is an esteemed international expert in gender diversity and inclusion, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Amsterdam and author of the book ‘NOT for HR.’ With her company, Superpeople Company, she assists organizations both domestically and internationally in attracting and retaining more diverse talent and fostering optimal development. During this interactive session on Diversity and Inclusion, Wendy discussed the different stages an organization goes through on the path to inclusivity, highlighting key focus areas, recommended actions for each stage, and strategies for achieving optimal results. Participants also had the opportunity to reflect on their own organizations, identify their current phase, and determine the next steps to take. We extend our gratitude to Herrik van der Gaag, Managing Director at Volvo Car Germany GmbH & Volvo Car Netherlands BV, for hosting the Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s first D&I Breakfast. We would also like to thank the speakers and Roger van Polanen Petel, PR & Communication Manager at Volvo Cars Netherlands, for his efforts in organizing and moderating the session. We are excited to announce that our next D&I Breakfast, which will be a combination event with the Swedish Chamber Tech Table series – Diversity in Tech, will take place on September 14. SKF Netherlands will be hosting this event. For more information, click here.   We look forward to welcoming you!