The Brainport region, with chip machine manufacturer ASML as its roaring engine, is the beating heart of the Dutch economy. The Veldhoven tech company has grown like crazy in recent years and the sky still seems to be the limit. The company wants to double its workforce to 40,000 in the coming years. But there is also a downside. The growth spurt is causing growing pains that can be felt throughout the region: congested roads, a major housing shortage and an overcrowded electricity grid. The Brainport region looks questioningly at The Hague. But most political parties seem to have their focus elsewhere on the eve of the House of Representatives elections.
At the beginning of last year, The Hague spent a lot of money with Project Beethoven to keep tech companies such as ASML and NXP in the Netherlands. Together with the region, more than 2.5 billion euros was allocated to further grow these companies and improve the quality of life and accessibility of the region. But more national attention is needed to solve the region’s problems.
The smartest region does not seem to be very high on the priority list of a new cabinet, judging by the party programs for the House of Representatives elections. And while the Brainport region with 21 municipalities is looking forward to the House of Representatives elections with great anticipation. Eindhoven councilor Stijn Steenbakkers recently indicated that he considers this region ‘crucial for the Netherlands’. He believes it is necessary for a new cabinet to invest even more in the Brainport region.
Political parties such as PVV, SP, SGP, DENK, Party for the Animals, Forum for Democracy and JA21 do not mention the Brainport region in their election manifestos. The latter party is remarkable, because JA21 claims to be the entrepreneurial party.
Other parties hardly write anything about the region. And only a handful of parties make an issue of this region, including VVD, GroenLinks/PvdA and Volt. According to the European party, the Brainport region is the future of Europe. “We are building our own Silicon Europe,” reads Volt’s election manifesto.
“From Brainport in Eindhoven to Station F in Paris: together we create one digital power source. With this we bundle the brightest minds on our continent, so that they do not leave for America or China.” According to Volt, the overcrowded power grid and the nitrogen problem are putting the country on lockdown. According to the party, choices have to be made and, according to Volt, that choice must fall on the tech sector in the Brainport region.
GroenLinks-PvdA also has an eye for this tech region and calls it ‘one of the most innovative regions in the Netherlands that shows how we can earn our money now and in the future’. The party seems to want to open its wallet again to allow the Brainport region to grow further.
“We encourage this by continuing investments in housing and infrastructure and expanding if necessary.” The combined left-wing party advocates large-scale new construction or even new cities at Brainport Eindhoven.
The VVD wants to invest heavily in modern technologies such as chips and artificial intelligence. “This way we can become technological leaders instead of followers. It is important that entrepreneurs can collaborate well with the government and knowledge institutions.”
They see ASML as the example of a large company in a ‘growth technology’ from which small and medium-sized businesses can benefit. “One job there provides roughly three jobs in the area. This ranges from caterers to security guards, from legal support to logistics transport.”
The party also wants to copy the approach of Project Beethoven, which involves cooperation between companies, local politics and national politics, to other areas. “The red carpet goes out for start-ups and scale-ups.”
ASML responds to party programs
In a response, chip machine manufacturer ASML said it hopes for clear plans and stability. For example, ASML indicates that the Beethoven program must be performed with priority.
ASML also says that long-term consideration must be given. “We need a smart plan for a strategic industrial policy, so that the Netherlands and Europe can maintain and strengthen their technological leadership in sectors. The chip industry is especially important in this regard. That is why we must already think about what we want in the long term and continue to invest in it.”
“Companies in the Netherlands face major challenges such as nitrogen problems, grid congestion, infrastructure and a shortage of affordable housing. That is why the new government must be able to get to work quickly, without allowing political differences to stand in the way of rapid decision-making.”
The Debate of the South
On October 25, the seven largest parties from the polls for the 2025 House of Representatives elections will debate each other in Tilburg. Geert Wilders (PVV), Henri Bontenbal (CDA), Rob Jetten (D66), Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD), Joost Eerdmans (JA21) and Jimmy Dijk (SP) debate topics that the residents of the south find important.
The ‘Debate of the South’ can be followed live on Saturday, October 25 from half past seven in the evening via the Omroep Brabant website and app.
