North Holland GroenLinks and PvdA prepare for merger
The provincial branches are working towards joint participation in the 2027 Provincial Council elections, but the legal completion has not been publicly recorded.
GroenLinks and PvdA are working more closely together in North Holland as they prepare for the 2027 Provincial Council elections. Public party documents mainly show that the provincial organisations are preparing joint decision-making and candidate selection.
The provincial branches held their first joint members’ meeting in February 2026. According to GroenLinks North Holland, members decided there to prepare together for the Provincial Council and water board elections. The Provincial Council elections are scheduled for 17 March 2027.
A new joint members’ meeting followed in April. The branches discussed, among other things, how they want to participate in the water board elections. The party documents identify two possibilities: an independent list from the new party or participation through a joint list with Water Natuurlijk, D66 and Volt.
The cooperation therefore goes beyond merely sharing a joint national electoral list. The provincial branches are working on joint election regulations, candidate selection committees and a programme. The documents still describe North Holland as a transitional phase in which both organisations remain formally recognisable.
At national level, the Senate (Eerste Kamer) group has been called Progressief Nederland, abbreviated to PRO, since 9 September 2026. The Senate states that the group was previously called GroenLinks-PvdA. This name change shows that the national merger is already having organisational consequences, but does not automatically mean that every provincial association legally merged on the same date.
For North Holland, the choice concerning the water boards remains particularly politically relevant. GroenLinks is linked there to Water Natuurlijk, while PvdA previously followed its own line. A joint list could reduce fragmentation on the left, but could also lead to discussion about recognisability, candidates and the relationship with D66 and Volt.
The public sources therefore confirm a concrete merger and preparatory process, but not all details of the final provincial organisation. The precise name, legal form and final candidate lists may still change before the 2027 elections take place.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The provincial branches are organising joint meetings and preparing together for the 2027 elections.
- The choice of how to participate in the water board elections was still open in the public documents.
- The national Senate group has used the name Progressief Nederland since 9 September.
Left
Arguments A joint progressive party could prevent left-wing voters and organisations from competing with one another in provincial and water board elections. The merger makes it possible to unite social equality and climate policy in a single programme.
Values Solidarity, sustainability and political strength.
Consequences Greater unity could increase governing influence, but differences between social-democratic and green supporters could fade into the background.
Centre
Arguments A merger is mainly workable if voters know who stands for what and if members can genuinely decide on the programme and candidates. A joint organisation can be efficient, but institutional care is more important than speed.
Values Democratic legitimacy, recognisability and administrative continuity.
Consequences A gradual merger can build trust, but leaves uncertainty about the name, list and responsibilities for longer.
Right
Arguments A new merged party reduces voters’ choice and could further nationalise provincial politics. Green and red have different priorities; those differences should remain visible instead of being combined into a single power bloc.
Values Political choice, pluralism and local recognisability.
Consequences Keeping the parties separate could offer more choice, but could also lead to fragmentation and less negotiating power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The text sticks to what the public party and Senate documents confirm: joint preparations, a choice concerning the water boards that remains open, and a national name change. The legal status of the provincial merger is explicitly presented as not fully established.
- confirmed GroenLinks and PvdA North Holland held a first joint members’ meeting in February 2026. — This is stated on the GroenLinks North Holland website. source
- confirmed The parties are jointly preparing for the 2027 Provincial Council elections. — The provincial party documents refer to joint preparations and candidate selection. source
- confirmed The Senate group has been called Progressief Nederland since 9 September 2026. — This is stated on the Senate’s official page. source
- uncertain The final legal form of the provincial merger is not yet fully public. — The public documents consulted describe preparations, but not a fully elaborated legal completion. source
Editor's note
The sources confirm joint preparations and a national name change. For North Holland, the final legal completion and the ultimate choice for the water board elections are not yet fully public.Sources
- De eerste gezamenlijke Ledenvergadering is een feit! — GroenLinks Noord-Holland
- De uitslag van de ledenraadpleging waterschapsverkiezingen 2027 — GroenLinks Noord-Holland
- PRO-fractie — Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „groenlinks pvda”
- NU.nl — „groenlinks pvda”
- De Telegraaf — „groenlinks pvda”