Sivaram Thadigotla and Rajesh Kotireddy from Eindhoven will also vote on Wednesday. Both expats have surrendered their Indian passports in exchange for a Dutch one, so they can also go to the polls. Sivaram (44) is happy with this: “This gives us a voice.” He is not the only one. In Eindhoven, 1,124 newcomers received Dutch nationality this year. All people over 18 can go to the voting booth on Wednesday.
Sivaram (44) has now lived in the Netherlands for fifteen years. He came to Eindhoven to work for Philips. After a trip to ASML, among others, he now works as a freelance consultant. “I am going to vote for the first time in the national elections. For me it is important because the government determines the direction the country goes.”
His daughters, aged 14 and 11, attend school here. His wife also works here now. Three years ago, Sivaram received his Dutch passport. The smell of incense greets you in their living room. Several Indian statues remind us of his background. “We have our roots in India. Our parents still live there and we go there every year. But I work here and I’m part of the culture. We are part of the Netherlands.”
“It would be nice if someone from the Indian community were in parliament.”
There is a great connection with the Netherlands. With a passport in hand, he no longer has to watch the national elections. He can finally cast his vote and he takes that very seriously. Sivaram went to an English-language election debate. He studied what the parties stand for on the internet. “Of course, education for children, health care, innovation, safety and the environment are important.”
But of course he also pays special attention to what parties say about newcomers. “We feel at home here. I am looking for a party that gives us the feeling that this is also a home. An expat-friendly party. And that we do not pay too much tax because we already pay a lot.”
Anyone who talks to an expat about Dutch politics will automatically come up with the expat scheme. Foreign employees receive a tax benefit. Sivaram thinks it is a shame that this will be cut back. “This arrangement is very important. Coming here will cost you a lot. The Netherlands needs technical people with the right skills. To bring them here, you need these kinds of arrangements. Otherwise you close the doors.”
He finds it interesting that this time a woman from India is also eligible. “That’s a first. She has lived here for a long time. There is a large Indian community in the Netherlands. It would be nice if someone from this community were in parliament.”
“Voting is a right, but also a great responsibility.”
Rajesh (37) Kotireddy has been living in the Netherlands for ten years. He started at TU/e and now works at a start-up for solar panels. He also feels connected to the Netherlands. “I like a bitterbal these days,” he says.
In 2019, Rajesh received a Dutch passport. “It is always easy to say that immigrants do this and that, but if you look at the Eindhoven region, newcomers contribute a lot. For example, if you look at ASML, Philips or other companies. As an expat you contribute to society, development and innovation.”
He also studies the election manifestos closely. “I think an inclusive society is important. That everyone is equal. I also look not only at the now, but especially at a sustainable future. Clean energy. Voting is a right, but it is also a great responsibility to choose the right man or woman. Now we can make our voices heard.”
