PROTEST youth wing joins European Green Party

The youth wing of Progressief Nederland, known as PROTEST, has decided to join the youth branch of the European Green Party and a global organization of socialist youth. This decision followed a referendum held during a congress in Tilburg.

PROTEST chairperson Minke van Manen stated that the outcome allows the group to maintain connections on both sides of the political spectrum following the merger of green and social-democratic movements. The group will also become an ‘observing member’ of the young European socialists. While an advisory committee had recommended joining the Party of European Socialists (PES), the youth organization opted for the green affiliation.

Separately, the referendum process has drawn criticism regarding the party's internal democracy. Observers noted that information regarding the vote was primarily relevant to a small group of members and that the party leadership has maintained a policy of excluding journalists from member meetings and information sessions.