Kitty Jong elected chair of Dutch party PRO

Kitty Jong has been elected chair of the Dutch political party Progressief Nederland (PRO), receiving 50.28% of the votes in the final round of a members’ ballot. The result, announced on 25 September, came alongside decisions on the party’s Senate lead candidate and European political affiliation. [1]

Jong is a former vice-chair of the FNV trade union. The other candidates for the chairmanship were Michiel Servaes, a former Labour Party (PvdA) MP who heads Oxfam Novib, and Frank van de Wolde, founder of RoodGroen and an advocate of the PvdA–GroenLinks merger. [2] [3]

The online referendum ran from 18 to 25 September. Across the referendum as a whole, 39,018 members participated — a turnout of 35.93%, meeting the party’s participation requirement. All announced results remain subject to the objection procedure and become final and binding once the objection periods have expired. [1]

In the party’s announcement, Jong said she intended to serve members, emphasising participation and advocacy. She also highlighted the importance of a cohesive board and close cooperation with the party office. [1]

Members also approved Mariëtte Hamer as PRO’s lead candidate for the Dutch Senate, succeeding Paul Rosenmöller in that role. Her nomination received 93.39% support. Hamer, a former chair of the Social and Economic Council, stood unopposed. [1] [2]