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Elections 2025: the impact of procurement on policy and society

News 4 minutes 04 November 2025

Nevi once again examined the party manifestos for procurement‑related themes. The conclusion: procurement plays a key role in addressing societal challenges and features prominently in the policies of nearly all parties.

Nevi has once again analysed the party manifestos for procurement‑related themes in the run‑up to the 29 October 2025 elections. Our aim is to help policymakers in the Netherlands become even more aware of the impact that procurement can have.

Across many manifestos, direct and indirect expectations emerge regarding procurement in both the public and private sectors. This matters, because procurement has significant influence on the societal challenges facing the new government (such as the energy transition, environmental pollution and resource scarcity). Sustainability is a prominent topic, and strong links can be made with the procurement activities of organisations.

With combined annual spending of more than €500 billion, private and public procurement represent a powerful force capable of shifting entire markets in line with societal, sustainable and fair transitions.

Nevi has once again provided input for all party manifestos following the fall of the government, together with several other organisations. During the coalition‑formation period, Nevi is actively engaging to ensure that the impact of the procurement function is reflected in the new coalition agreement and placed higher on the agenda of policymakers and budget holders. Six parties with the greatest likelihood of participating in negotiations receive a tailored letter in which Nevi directly connects to the themes in their own manifestos.

The differences between the party programmes are significant, but there is also considerable overlap. For example, the ChristenUnie states that the government should lead by example as a purchaser, making local and sustainable procurement the norm. Many parties view Socially Responsible Procurement (and, in some cases, commissioning) as the new standard. Accelerating the circular economy is another recurring theme. Public procurement is frequently mentioned as a good example or enabler, whether as a launching customer or in the development of key technologies. Nevi emphasises that strategic tendering and collaboration across the supply chain can make procurement a driving force behind innovation, sustainability and strengthening domestic production capacity.

For the CDA and ChristenUnie, SMEs and social enterprises are important considerations in procurement. Volt recognises procurement as an important instrument for achieving societal goals by prioritising sustainable, social and innovative products and services.

Supply chains receive far more attention than two years ago. Volt, ChristenUnie, D66, SP, CDA, JA21 and GroenLinks/PvdA all address this topic, often in the context of strategic autonomy or chain responsibility. Nevi’s message is that both public and private purchasers influence which companies grow, which technologies break through and how strategic autonomy is strengthened.

Nearly all parties believe that more emphasis should be placed on choosing Dutch and European products, reducing dependence on China. They also call for a reduction in regulatory and administrative burdens. Joint procurement to meet the new NATO standard appears frequently. More broadly, collaborative purchasing—whether in healthcare or with other countries—is seen as an important approach. According to Nevi, a strong Dutch manufacturing and defence industry requires an active industrial policy in which procurement plays a key role.

There is not a single party that does not address procurement‑related themes.

The impact of procurement is greater than many realise. Nevi aims to help policymakers in the Netherlands become even more aware of the influence procurement can have.

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