With the elections on November 22nd, the political landscape in the Netherlands has changed significantly. The PVV (Party for Freedom), Geert Wilders’ party, was voted by far the strongest party in the parliamentary elections. But what could this mean for businesses, retailers and the fashion industry in the neighboring country? FashionUnited has taken a closer look at the party’s views.
The Dutch trade association INretail has produced an election guide with a focus on retail, in which it has analyzed the party manifestos. The retail election guide lists positions on the most important issues for entrepreneurs and retailers. When you look at the PVV program, you immediately notice that very few retail topics are covered. Of the ten topics to be examined, the PVV only offers information on three topics.
Of the positions included in the election manifesto, according to the guide, two are positive for retail and one is very negative. For example, the party wants less shoplifting and a reduction in consumption taxes and VAT. This is in line with the wishes of the trade association. On the topic of “Affordable sustainability for entrepreneurs,” however, the party performed “very negatively,” according to the retail election guide. The election program therefore states that Wilders wants to abolish climate subsidies.
And then there are the other seven topics that are not included in the PVV’s election program. These are ‘less regulatory burden for companies’, ‘combating retail vacancies’, ‘sufficient financing for companies’, ‘investments in shopping areas’, ‘more net wages for employees’, ‘realistic zero-emission zones’ and ‘investments in the region’. Where a net wage is not mentioned, Wilders does mention raising the legal minimum wage in his program. However, this could lead to higher wage cost pressure for entrepreneurs.
One issue not directly mentioned in the guide is staff shortages. One way to address some of the staff shortages is through guest workers. However, the PVV wants to severely limit the influx of work and study migrants. Employees from the EU should need a work permit again if the PVV has its way.
The creative part of the fashion industry could also be affected by the political decisions. After all, fashion is also art and culture. If the PVV has its way, subsidies for art and culture will be stopped. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Water has so far invested to some extent in Dutch design. These include the areas of architecture, design, fashion, digital culture and gaming. There are various subsidies for these industries.
Nevertheless, the PVV will not govern alone in the Netherlands. After the elections, the phase of forming a government begins and a coalition must be formed. The extent to which the PVV will govern and with whom remains unclear for the time being.
This translated and edited post previously appeared on FashionUnited.nl.