A highly incomprehensible and remarkable situation unfolded in the Parliament of Aruba during the public meeting to discuss the National Ordinance on the Establishment and Affairs of Ministries (LIM). The AVP faction, the largest party in the coalition, submitted a motion urging the Cabinet to appoint a Plenipotentiary Minister (GevMin) in The Hague as soon as possible.
The Motion and Its Core Objective
The AVP motion emphasizes that the position of Plenipotentiary Minister is of essential importance for defending Aruba’s interests within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It highlights that the position is currently vacant or being filled on an acting basis without a definitive appointment, and that continuity, effective advocacy, and diplomatic representation require that this position be urgently filled. Therefore, the motion calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to appoint a Plenipotentiary Minister with the appropriate diplomatic experience, governmental knowledge, and political support.
Problems Within the “Marriage”
Signs of trouble within the coalition became evident when coalition partner Futuro did not co-sign the motion. The situation worsened when, at the time of voting, this partner voted against the motion submitted by their own coalition partner.
Ministerial Contradiction
The voting advice given by the Ministers revealed a complete contradiction in perspectives. The Prime Minister (AVP) described the motion as “sympathetic,” while the Minister from Futuro stated that the motion was unnecessary and that not making an appointment was a way to save money.
This reaction paints a picture in which one coalition partner sees the appointment as a necessity, while the other considers it an unnecessary expense that can be avoided.
Conclusion
Is Aruba’s presence within the Kingdom merely “sympathetic” but “too much”? The outcome of the motion forces the conclusion that there is a serious problem of coordination and shared vision within this coalition “marriage.” It is positive that AVP has finally taken a stand on the importance of appointing a Plenipotentiary Minister key position for Aruba’s standing within the Kingdom. However, the way the coalition handled this matter raises serious doubts about its ability to work together on issues of vital importance to the country.
Finally, the imbalance of power is striking, as it appears that a large party such as AVP is allowing Futuro to dictate direction. Initially, Futuro did not want Mrs. Desiree Croes to remain appointed and subsequently blocked any further appointments. Now, however, it seems that AVP is finally standing up to its junior partner on an issue that is so important to our country.
