Expertise

Meines & Partners' expertise rests on 4 pillars:

Political culture

Meines & Partners offers its clients knowledge and know-how in the following areas:

  • German politics
  • Making a translation to the Dutch situation
  • Being able to move back and forth between the different political and economic players.

Germany is a large country with a federal system. As a result, there are numerous political and administrative levels and players. More than 600 Members of Parliament represent 82 million citizens. Nordrhein-Westfalen, for example, one of the 16 states, has 18 million inhabitants, 2 million more than in the whole of the Netherlands.

But these large numbers are not the only distinctive feature of German politics. There are many other points to consider. For example, the Bundesrat, the German federal council where the 16 states are represented, has considerably more power in the law-making process than, for example, the Dutch Senate. And while the Dutch political culture is based on consensus and a pragmatic approach, polarisation and party-political conflict is very much in evidence in Germany, despite a large coalition at federal level.

Network

In both Germany and the Netherlands we have access to a formidable network of MPs, politicians, civil servants, diplomats, platforms, scientific institutes and media. Thanks to years of experience and expertise in this specific arena, we can provide good, expert political advice. We can also employ our contacts in politics and the media at the right moment for our client.

Method

We make a cultural translation from the German political situation to the Dutch business arena and/or vice versa. On the basis of this, we can advise our clients on strategic decisions and activities to be carried out.

Language Competence

In order to be able to understand a country and its culture, it is vital to speak the language, both literaly and figuratively. Meines & Partners has staff who have lived and worked in Germany for a number of years; are originally German; or have worked for German organisations in the Netherlands. In addition, for certain projects, we also use the services of German advisers in Berlin. They can speak Dutch and have spent a number of years living and working in the Netherlands.