The Green party GroenLinks and the Dutch Labour party PvdA are accelerating their merger plans with a member consultation starting this week. The consultation includes a referendum on the merger. This move comes in response to the recent government collapse.

The new, unnamed party is projected to officially form in 2026. This timing means it will not be in place for the upcoming elections expected on October 29.

During the 2023 elections, the two parties already formed an alliance. That alliance secured 25 seats, establishing them as the second largest party in parliament.

Beyond the core question of the merger, members will also vote on whether to maintain their existing alliance for the general election later this year. According to a PvdA spokesman, the referendum is being expedited to this week rather than waiting for the party congress on June 21 because “speed is of the essence” due to the government’s instability.

Frans Timmermans, a former European commissioner, is anticipated to lead the alliance again. While he has indicated his willingness, other candidates are welcome to step forward.

Although a strong majority of members are expected to approve the merger, some opposition exists. A group including former PvdA leader Ad Melkert and former chairs Gerdi Verbeet and Hans Spekman has voiced concerns. They fear the merged party might abandon traditional social democratic principles and cater primarily to the well-educated.