PPA Parliamentarian Eduard Pieters explained that the PPA submitted a motion to stop the HOFA Kingdom Act, so that discussions with trade and union organizations could take place and the possibility of renegotiating the Kingdom Act could remain open. Unfortunately, the parliamentary majority did not honor this, and the parties supporting the government (AVP-Futuro) passed a motion recognizing the continuation of the HOFA process.
Mr. Pieters described what happened as a very dark day for Aruba. It is now up to the opposition parties to continue the fight and show how much love they have for the country of Aruba.
When asked what can now be done by opposition parliamentarians, given that the parliamentary majority supporting the government has given the green light for the HOFA process in the Netherlands to continue, he indicated that we must wait to see how developments unfold. However, significant changes are now unlikely, as the government has already handed the matter over to the Council of Ministers—a deeply regrettable situation.
Something the people must take note of is that a small group in Parliament supporting the government has handed our country over. These parliamentarians made a decision on behalf of the people without considering the 13 unions that also expressed their opposition to the Kingdom Act. In this way, they have handed Aruba over to a group of people we cannot vote for, but who can now make decisions about us. For the next elections, it is therefore important to carefully consider who you vote for and who you do not, Mr. Pieters concluded.