Leader of the MEP faction, Evelyn Wever-Croes, took the opportunity to thank the unions for their presence, courage, and preparation during a recent meeting on the Rijkswet HOFA, highlighting the efforts made by unions to understand both the content and the principled issues involved in the political debate.
According to Croes, this is a debate that must take place in Parliament, but not all parliamentarians have taken on the necessary responsibility. Unions emphasized that the Bestuurlijk Akkoord (Administrative Agreement) is not binding and that circumstances can change. They also pointed out that during the elections, approximately 85% were against the Rijkswet, while the current situation appears different.
At the same time, MEP faction leader Evelyn Wever-Croes thanked the unions for bringing clarity that the Rijkswet cannot be changed once the Parliament of Aruba accepts it; after approval, Parliament would no longer be able to modify it.
Much has been said about what was signed, but it is important to pause and recognize that what was signed has always first been presented to Parliament, and Parliament had adopted a motion that provided a framework. Evelyn Wever-Croes was very clear in stating that parliamentarian Bermudez criticizes the signing of the Bestuurlijk Akkoord, but the reality is that the agreement was signed to allow the country to move forward, she indicated.
It is time to stop and reflect on what happened at that moment and stop using the argument of the Bestuurlijk Akkoord as a reason to avoid taking responsibility as a parliamentarian and adopting a clear position.
Regarding what the Dutch State Secretary Eric van den Burg told the unions yesterday, Croes noted that this occurred recently. He told them that negotiations took place with the previous government and later with the current government. He acknowledged that there were differences of opinion, but at the end of the day, it was the government of Aruba—AVP and FUTURO—that signed and agreed, and this is important to underline because the statement came directly from the Netherlands.
The MEP faction opposes the Rijkswet HOFA for several reasons. First, because it goes against agreements made with the Netherlands in the 2024 Bestuurlijk Akkoord, as Croes elaborated extensively during the Cft meeting. The Rijkswet HOFA, in its current form, is not good for Aruba. It would place Aruba in problems similar to those faced by Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Most importantly, it is not necessary, because through our own efforts we have already demonstrated that we can bring Aruba out of the financial crisis it faced. The main issue with the Rijkswet is the burden it would create, and that is what the faction has consistently voiced.
The unions asked several questions, and the MEP faction leader answered them together. The faction emphasized that they share the unions’ position that when the Netherlands says, “I will come with a Rijkswet because I do not trust you,” that is unacceptable to this Parliament. When the Netherlands implies that there is no confidence in the people to properly elect their representatives, that is unacceptable to the faction. These questions are important for reflection, and the faction will also reflect on them internally, but it can already be stated that they share that view.
More important than anything else, however, is that the unions present represent thousands of citizens in the country, and at moments like these what Aruba needs most is leadership and unity. Aruba has achieved great things in the past thanks to strong leadership and unity. Our leaders did not hide or say, “Let’s wait until we receive advice from the Netherlands before taking a position.” Our leaders did not choose division at crucial moments in our history. The country needs leadership and unity, just as we achieved Status Aparte and many other major accomplishments in recent years.
On behalf of the MEP faction, a proposal was made to the President of Parliament, Marlon Sneek, to call a public meeting, a public debate, an Openbare Vergadering as early as next week. The faction believes that business representatives can meet within a day and that the public session can be convened within a week, during which parliamentarians will debate and take a position.
There is already sufficient information available. The Rijkswet HOFA goes against a motion of Parliament. It goes against agreements made within the framework of IPKO between the parliaments. It goes against the Constitution. One does not need the Council of State to say this; even a first-year law student could conclude that.
For that reason, it is important to call this meeting next week. The MEP faction is prepared to draft the petition on a blank sheet without party logos, and to invite all 21 parliamentarians to sign it so that this public debate can take place next week with the signatures of all members of the Parliament of Aruba—so that a clear position can be taken and peace can be brought to the community.