Nasdem Has Not Discussed Merger with Gerindra Internally Within the Party

Jakarta, VIVA – Nasdem’s Deputy General Chairman Saan Mustopa stated that there has been no in-depth discussion regarding the idea of a merger or fusion with other parties within the Nasdem Party.

Saan said that the Nasdem Party’s current focus is on carrying out consolidation and building the party structure, both at the national and regional levels.

“We are intensifying consolidation and the formation of the party structure down to the DPR (branch leadership council) level. That is our focus today. So, regarding the idea of fusion, it has not yet become a more in-depth discussion internally,” Saan told reporters at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Monday, 13 April 2026.

According to him, the idea of fusion or merging political parties is a normal matter.

Saan added that the merging of political parties has occurred in Indonesia in 1973.

“We had a fusion back in ’73, right? From several parties becoming three parties. And as an idea, as a concept, it is certainly considered or thought about as a normal thing,” he said.

However, to realise that idea, Saan said many things need to be discussed and planned, including considering ideology, identity, and the party’s existence.

“Because building or establishing a party, the respective party founders certainly have idealism, ideas, concepts, ideology in different contexts,” he stated.

On the other hand, Saan admitted he does not know exactly about the meeting between Nasdem General Chairman Surya Paloh and Indonesian President as well as Gerindra General Chairman Prabowo Subianto some time ago, which was said to discuss the merger idea.

“I do not know exactly about that meeting, especially regarding the substance of what was discussed in that meeting,” Saan said.

According to him, the meeting between Surya Paloh and Prabowo could be because Nasdem is part of the government coalition parties. In every political step, Nasdem strives to ensure that the government’s priority programmes run well.

“Because of that, to maximise Nasdem’s support for the government, communication in the form of maintaining relations or meetings is a common thing done between coalition party leaders and the President,” he said.