NasDem Responds to Rumours of "Merger" with Gerindra: As a Discourse, It's a Normal Matter

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - NasDem Deputy Chairman Saan Mustopa has responded to the recent rumours of a merger between NasDem Party and Gerindra Party.

Saan emphasised that the emergence of such discourse is a normal aspect of political dynamics.

“Once again, as an idea or discourse, that notion is quite ordinary,” Saan stated when met at the DPR RI Building on Monday (13/4/2026).

Saan admitted that he only learned of the issue after it became widely discussed.

He explained that in political terminology, the unification of parties is more accurately termed a fusion, rather than a merger or acquisition.

“When it comes to implementation, many factors must be considered. Regarding ideology, identity, and the existence of each party,” Saan clarified.

According to Saan, every political party is built on the idealism, ideas, and ideology of its founders.

Therefore, uniting two parties cannot be done in a straightforward manner.

“A party is a reflection of the idealism, ideas, and even ideology of its founders. It’s not easy to fuse them,” he said.

He also referenced the experience of party fusions that occurred in Indonesia in 1973.

According to him, that agenda took place in a different political context from the current situation.

“In the past, the context might have allowed it. Now, our national situation and democracy continue to evolve,” Saan remarked.

Furthermore, Saan assured that to date, there have been no specific discussions within NasDem Party regarding the fusion discourse with Gerindra.