2016 Labour Party (Netherlands) leadership election

The 2016 Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid, PvdA) leadership election in the Netherlands was held to choose a new leader of the party following the resignation of Diederik Samsom after the party's disappointing results in the 2015 Senate elections. The election utilized a member vote, open to all PvdA members.

The main candidates were generally considered to be:

• Lodewijk Asscher: The incumbent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Second Rutte cabinet.
• Diederik Samsom: Though he had previously resigned the leadership, Samsom also chose to run again.

The key issues debated during the campaign included the future direction of the party, its stance on economic policy, and its relationship with the coalition government. The candidates participated in debates and addressed party members through various channels.

Lodewijk Asscher ultimately won the election and became the new leader of the Labour Party. Following his election, he outlined his vision for the party and began the process of rebuilding its support base. He was then tasked with leading the party into the 2017 general election. The results of this election were critical in determining the PvdA’s political future and its role in the Dutch political landscape.