Gerindra Insists It Never Discussed Merger Plans with NasDem
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Gerindra Party’s daily chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has emphasised that his party has never discussed plans for a merger or amalgamation with the NasDem Party.
“Yes, as stated by NasDem, we have never had any such discussions,” Dasco said when met at the RI House of Representatives building on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
Dasco was instead puzzled by the emergence of the issue, as there had been no internal discussions in Gerindra regarding a merger with NasDem.
“We were also confused about where this came from when we heard it. But since NasDem has already explained it first, and they are the subject, we think that’s sufficient,” Dasco said.
“Shall we proceed to Gerindra or NasDem first? Or do you want a merger of NasDem with Gerindra?” Willy joked during the meeting.
The jest arose after reports circulated about a meeting between Gerindra General Chairman Prabowo Subianto and NasDem General Chairman Surya Paloh, which was said to have sparked ideas of merging the two parties.
In response to the rumour, NasDem’s Deputy General Chairman Saan Mustopa has also emphasised that there have been no in-depth discussions regarding merger plans within his party.
Saan explained that NasDem is currently intensifying organisational consolidation from the central to regional levels, including strengthening the party structure down to the DPRT level.
“We are intensifying consolidation and the formation of party structures down to the DPRT level. That’s our focus today,” he said.
He added that the idea of a merger is indeed a normal aspect of political dynamics.
“As an idea or discourse, it’s quite ordinary. But to realise it, there are many things that need to be considered,” Saan stated.
According to him, every political party has an ideology, identity, and history that form the basis of its establishment, so uniting two parties cannot be done simply.
“A party is a reflection of the idealism, ideas, and even ideology of its founders. It’s not easy to merge,” Saan said.