The announcement by Prime Minister Mike Eman that he will step down from his position effective January 1, 2027, has raised serious political questions, especially considering that his own coalition partner, Futuro, was not aware of this.
However, this does not mean that he has caretaker status today. A caretaker minister is a government official who has formally submitted their resignation and holds limited powers to handle only day-to-day affairs. Prime Minister Eman has not formally submitted his resignation to the Governor, and his Cabinet has not fallen. He continues to function with his powers intact and a full political mandate.
The question that remains is: if Prime Minister Eman is to step down effective January 1, 2027, what will happen to the major and urgent decisions that our country must make between now and then?
HOFA: A decision that cannot go without debate
One of the most crucial decisions on the table is HOFA, the Kingdom Act (Rijkswet) that stipulates the standards for public finance and financial supervision of Aruba. Under the current proposal, CAft (the Board of Financial Supervision) would report directly to the Kingdom Council of Ministers (Rijksministerraad) instead of accounting to the Parliament of Aruba. From an advisory body, CAft would shift to having a decisive role in making decisions for the Country of Aruba.
The question is not whether financial discipline is necessary. Aruba has already proven that it can do it. The debt was reduced from 117% to 61% of GDP under our own law (LAft), the lowest level since 2011, as confirmed by the Council of State (Raad van State) itself. The question is: why does a financially strong Aruba need a permanent Kingdom law to manage its own budget?
This is a decision that will have consequences for many years. For this reason, a debate in Parliament is urgent and necessary.
Eman can leave, but not without accounting to the people
A prime minister can step down. A party can change leaders. But Mike Eman is not only the prime minister of AVP and Futuro. He is the Prime Minister of all of Aruba. And while he holds this position, he has full responsibility to the people, not just to his party.
If he is to continue as prime minister until 2028, he must govern with full responsibility. If his coalition lacks confidence, the most correct path is to clarify whether the Cabinet should continue, if the leadership needs to change, or if a resignation should be submitted. Leaving Aruba in uncertainty while major and crucial decisions like HOFA are on the table is not an option.
The key point for the people is not the person who is leaving. It is what is being signed, handed over, and decided in the name of Aruba before he goes!