As expected, PvdA and GL will enter the parliamentary elections with one list. That is the outcome of member referendums at both parties, the results of which were announced on Monday afternoon. An overwhelming majority of both PvdA and GL voted for a joint list.
At GL 91.8 percent of members voted in favour, at PvdA 87.9 percent. About 6 in 10 members of both parties voted.
The joint candidate list seems to be a prelude to a party merger. It is the first time that the parties have entered the elections with a single list. Earlier this year, the parties already decided to form one parliamentary group in the senate after the Senate elections. GL’er Paul Rosenmöller is now leading the way.
More interesting than the outcome of the member consultation is therefore the question of who will lead the joint list. GL leader Jesse Klaver would have that ambition, but the question is whether the PvdA will accept another GL member. Among the Social Democrats, Amsterdam alderman Marjolein Moorman and Brussels climate pope Frans Timmermans are candidates. It is doubtful whether the latter will also want to sit in the Chamber benches. He could also be put forward as a prime ministerial candidate on behalf of the parties.
Criticism
Party prominents have recently been critical of the far-reaching cooperation of the parties. Former chairman of the PvdA, Hans Spekman, among others, is sceptical: “I think that within the party it is much about cooperation and not enough about social problems,” he said in February. PvdA star and former parliamentary chairman Gerdi Verbeet has also expressed her concerns: “I wonder whether the hardworking Dutchman – for whom I joined the PvdA – would benefit from a merger.”
There seems to be less resistance within GL, but criticism is also heard there. “There are simply points in which GL differs from PvdA,” said Amsterdam GL councilor Jenneke van Pijpen.