Members of the Dutch political parties PvdA (Labour Party) and GroenLinks (GreenLeft) have overwhelmingly approved a merger to form a new left-wing party. The historic decision, announced by party chairs Esther-Mirjam Sent (PvdA) and Katinka Eikelenboom (GroenLinks), follows years of discussions and attempts at cooperation between progressive parties in the Netherlands.

The referendum results revealed strong support for the merger, with 88 percent of PvdA members and 89 percent of GroenLinks members voting in favor. Frans Timmermans, political leader of GroenLinks-PvdA, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it exceeded his expectations. Chairman Sent highlighted the high participation rate and the clear message from the members, emphasizing the strong support for the merger.

The merger process, overseen by Sent and Eikelenboom, began as an exploration of potential collaboration between the two parties. Eikelenboom noted that the decision aligns with the desires of their members and is the right step for the people. The unified party aims to compete for power more effectively in a political landscape that has been largely dominated by right-wing parties since World War II.

Progressive parties have struggled to gain consistent power, with only three prime ministers coming from the left-wing PvdA. Divided votes among parties such as PvdA, SP (Socialist Party), GroenLinks, and D66 (Democrats 66) have often hindered their success.

Several attempts at forming electoral pacts have been made in the past, with varying degrees of success. However, Sent believes that “all the stars were aligned this time,” citing the similar size of PvdA and GroenLinks in 2021, their shared position in the opposition, and the comparable number of members as factors contributing to a more equal and successful merger process. Eikelenboom emphasized the importance of timing and assessing the current political climate.

The merger is not yet fully complete. A founding congress is planned for the spring of 2026, where the new party name will be chosen, organizational matters will be resolved, and the ideological principles of the new party will be established. The party leader will also be selected at this congress. Until the formal merger is finalized, PvdA and GroenLinks will remain separate entities.

Timmermans believes that the commitment of younger generations within the parties has been crucial, noting their focus on achieving tangible results rather than adhering strictly to ideological labels. Sent expressed optimism about the future of the merged party, stating that it is a means to achieving a more social Netherlands.