Members of both parties were able to vote online last week. Among the Greens in GroenLinks, 89% supported the merger, while among the Social Democrats in PvdA, this figure rose to 88%. The merger between the two parties is expected to be completed next year. By then, the party leaderships must find a name and new statutes. The early elections on October 29 will therefore be held before the new party is formed.
A very large majority of both parties nevertheless agreed to participate together in the next parliamentary elections. GroenLinks and PvdA have been collaborating for some time. In November 2023, they ran on the same list in the parliamentary elections.
They also form a joint group in the First and Second Chambers (the upper and lower houses of the Dutch parliament). However, there has never been any talk of an official merger. Former European Commissioner Frans Timmermans is the lead candidate for the October 29 elections. Other candidates can apply until Friday. For now, Mr. Timmermans is the leader of the GroenLinks-PvdA group in the Second Chamber.
