Many European laws and regulations are directly applicable and take precedence over national laws. In practice, the EU operates as an independent tier of governance in the Netherlands, alongside the state, provinces and municipalities. Before the EU decides on policies, laws and regulations, the Netherlands negotiates with the 26 other Member States and the EU institutions on the proposal in question. In this game of give and take, the Netherlands tries to represent its national interests as well as possible. Influence plays a vital role in this process.
This evaluation examines the influence of the Netherlands on the European policymaking process – specifically, the extent to which Dutch policy preferences have been successfully translated into European decisions through strategic actions and interventions.
Dutch advocacy in the European Union
Image: IOB
The visual illustrates Dutch advocacy in the European Union. The Netherlands is one of the 27 Member States of the European Union. They jointly decide on new European legislation, regulations and policy. All Member States, including the Netherlands, try to promote their interests as best as possible in the development of European policy.
Formally, a minister (or his representative) has a seat in the Council of the European Union, on behalf of the Netherlands. However, devolved governments, Dutch Parliament and Dutch society in all kind of organizational forms find their way to the EU to advocate for their own interests.
The European Union’s institutional set-up is unique and consists of different EU institutions, bodies and agencies, such as the European Commission, European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Central Bank.
Conclusions
The IOB concludes that during the period under review, from 2016 to 2023, the Netherlands had considerable influence on EU policy compared to other EU Member States. The Netherlands regularly punched above its weight. This was partly due to:
- its solid contribution of expertise and experience
- the active and bridging role the Netherlands played within effective coalitions, as well as its proactive efforts to build new partnerships
- the prime minister’s engagement at the highest political level within the EU
- a strong Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels
The Netherlands’ image fluctuated over time and varied according to the dossier, but it was generally perceived as competent, pragmatic, clear, well-organised, reliable in EU negotiations and, in certain areas, constructive.
This positive outcome is no guarantee for the future. Developments both domestically and in the European and wider geopolitical context can either help or hinder Dutch influence in the European Union.
Recommendations
If the Cabinet wants to maintain or strengthen the Netherlands’ accumulated influence in the EU, IOB believes that it should invest in:
- increased awareness and knowledge at all levels of government and politics about the EU as the fourth tier of governance in Dutch public administration and how it works
- strengthening networks and relationships at home and in the EU, and
- more proactive political and administrative guidance
This should be achieved while maintaining the strengths already mentioned. To compensate for the departure of the influential prime minister, it is important to safeguard administrative support at the highest political level within the EU.
Research design
The methodological design of the evaluation is visualised in figure 2. In addition to that, the IOB cooperated with EU-experts of Dutch knowledge institutions and universities which resulted in literature studies and cases studies, published in Dutch:
The evaluation of the Dutch influence on EU policy builds on the evaluation of the Dutch EU coordination, published in 2021. That evaluation looked into the Dutch process of position-taking on EU policy and, in particular, the role played in it by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It focused on the time period 2016-2021.
Image: IOB
The methodological design of the evaluation consists of:
- Five case studies that were examined in depth:
- Cross-border carbon tax
- Rule of law conditionalities in the multiannual financial framework (MFF)/COVID-19 Recovery Fund
- 55% Climate Target
- Legislative transparency in the Council
- Strategic Compass for a stronger European defence
- Literature studies about ways to influence each of the five phases of the EU policy process:
- Agenda-setting
- Policy-making
- Decision-making
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- 150 cross-case interviews with professionals of:
- the national government
- devolved governments
- implementing organisations
- knowledge institutions
- businesses
- civil society
- EU-member states
- EU-institions
- Policy document analysis
- Two surveys:
- Among civil servants of the national government including the institutions responsible for implementation of EU legislation and monitoring compliance
- Among civil servants of all tiers of governance in Dutch public administration