Members GroenLinks and PvdA votes early online about merger due to upcoming elections

The members of GroenLinks and the Labor Party can choose early whether they want to merge their parties. The online referendum will open this Thursday afternoon, members can vote until the end of next week. The party boards announced this on Thursday. The members therefore immediately decide whether they want to enter the elections with one list.

The original plan of the boards was that the members would only comment on a possible merger at the joint congress next June 21. The acceleration is used because of the fall of Kabinet-Schoof on Tuesday, and the elections that will probably be held at the end of October. GroenLinks and the Labor Party want to create « clarity » towards their voters and are « ready together » as quickly as possible for these « important elections, » the parties said.

The early vote does not mean that the parties actually go together faster, write the party boards. The name is also not adjusted faster. The plan is still that only in the summer of next year the parties will actually be merged.

‘Pros and against consideration’

The vast majority of voters and members of both parties are for the merger, but a group of PvdA members led by former party leader Ad Melkert is strongly facing the merger. This group, called RoodvoeeT, believes that the merger is unnecessary and is performed carelessly.

The party boards say they have all the understanding if members feel robbed by the early. They have written, « the pros and cons weed » and have come to this decision after consultation with the presidia and referendum committee. Roodvouit will meet in Utrecht on 7 June and an online membership interview of GroenLinks and PvdA will take place on this decision. The referendum will close on Thursday 12 June and a solution is expected.

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