Parliamentarian Edgar Vrolijk has strongly criticized the AVP-FUTURO government regarding the way changes to the Landsverordening Instelling Ministeries (LIM) were handled and incorporated into the budget. According to Vrolijk, the process followed was incorrect, legally problematic, and could have negative consequences for Aruba’s governance.
Vrolijk elaborated on an amendment submitted by Parliamentarian Mike de Meza concerning the LIM, a law that establishes and organizes the structure of government ministries. According to Vrolijk, what the government did in Parliament with this amendment is “a disgrace” and demonstrates a politically malicious act by the AVP-FUTURO government and coalition—except for Parliamentarian Mike de Meza.
Vrolijk explained that when the government inserted the LIM change directly into the budget, it created a situation that did not follow the proper legal procedure. “The change did not go to the Raad van Advies , which is an essential step in the legislative process,” he said.
He indicated that the government clearly bypassed Parliament’s role because, after the LIM was voted on as part of the budget, the matter was then sent to the Raad van Advies. According to Vrolijk, the legal council would likely indicate that the LIM does not comply with existing law, but by then it would be too late.
“The damage this is causing will not be limited to the current year but will be reflected in the budgets of future governments,” Vrolijk warned.
Additionally, he recalled that Parliamentarian Mike de Meza himself acknowledged that the proposed change implies a constitutional amendment, which requires a change to Aruba’s Staatsregeling. For a change of this type, a two-thirds majority in Parliament is necessary.
According to Vrolijk, the required political support was not present. “Not even within the coalition was there sufficient support, and the opposition was unwilling to help pass the law,” he said. He added that considering the stance of FUTURO and the actions of some coalition parliamentarians who withdrew their support at an early stage, it is clear that the law was not and would not achieve the required constitutional majority.
For this reason, Vrolijk considers the amendment by Mike de Meza to practically “fade into oblivion.”
The parliamentarian concluded that it is important to continue observing the position that Parliamentarian Mike de Meza will take in the future, especially considering that, according to Vrolijk, FUTURO continues to “follow AVP” under the approval of Prime Minister Mike Eman. “AVP is becoming more unrecognizable and weak every day.”
Finally, Vrolijk emphasized that even though De Meza declared he would seek support from “left and right,” the political reality shows that neither side will provide the necessary support. “If even a normal law cannot gain a majority within its own coalition, imagine when 14 votes are required for a constitutional change,” he concluded.
According to Vrolijk, the only legally correct way to implement this type of change to the LIM is through a complete constitutional process, in accordance with Aruba’s Staatsregeling. Incorporating the LIM directly into the budget was an act of political malice by the AVP-FUTURO government.