Jesse Klaver, 39, has been chosen as the new leader of the 20-strong GroenLinks-PvdA parliamentary alliance following the resignation of Frans Timmermans in the wake of the party’s election losses.

Klaver was formerly leader of the left-wing green party GroenLinks and one of the driving forces behind the merger of the two parties, which is set to be completed next year.

He was the only candidate for the post after new MP Marjolein Moorman, who has been tipped as a future party leader, said Klaver had her full backing.

“Leadership sometimes means stepping aside,” Klaver said after his appointment was confirmed at a party group meeting on Monday. “But sometimes you have to step forward if the situation demands it. That is what I have done today.”

As GroenLinks leader, Klaver was involved in efforts to form a coalition with the VVD, CDA and D66 in 2017, but eventually withdrew his party. He has been an MP for over 15 years.

Klaver’s first task will be to discuss his party’s role in the talks to form the next cabinet. D66 leader Rob Jetten, who is set to become the country’s youngest prime minister at 38, has made no secret of his preference for a coalition with the VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA and the Christian Democrats.

The combination could count on 86 MPs in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.

VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz and several of her ministers have said they do not want to be part of a coalition with the left-wing green party. But Yesilgöz, in particular, had a strained relationship with Timmermans, and some insiders say replacing him with Klaver could make forming a centrist coalition easier.

However, there are wide differences between the two parties in several areas, including economic policy and migration.

A right-wing coalition involving the far-right JA21 could only count on 75 or 76 seats.

The leaders of all 15 parties that will be represented in parliament in the coming session will meet parliamentary chairman Martin Bosma on Tuesday afternoon to begin the coalition formation process.