The actions of Minister Gerlien Croes concerning the Department of Kingdom Relations have generated strong political criticism, raising questions about legality, authority, and responsibility within Aruba’s governance. According to critics, the minister is acting contrary to the law, with support from the majority of FUTURO and AVP parliamentarians except for Mike de Meza.
The Department of Kingdom Relations is not an independent ministry, but a department that, under current law, falls under the responsibility of the Prime Minister of Aruba, currently Mike Eman. However, according to the criticism, recent parliamentary procedures have allowed Minister Gerlien Croes to act as if the department falls directly under her authority.
A total of 12 Members of Parliament approved a change to the Landsverordening instelling ministeries (LIM). Nevertheless, according to the arguments presented, the roles of the Prime Minister and the Minister Plenipotentiary are formally established in several other laws that were not amended. This creates a legal conflict, because only one law was adjusted while the remaining legal framework remains in force.
According to critics, this means that Minister Gerlien Croes is acting against the law of the country of Aruba, since a partial amendment to the LIM is insufficient to change authority and responsibilities established in other laws. “If the government wants to change the actual structure of authority, it must present a complete legislative amendment, harmonizing all relevant laws.”
It is also stated that Minister Gerlien Croes’ actions undermine the authority of Prime Minister Mike Eman, creating a situation where Kingdom-related decisions are made without clarity about who holds the legal mandate to do so. As the largest party, the AVP has allowed this situation to occur, creating a scenario of legal uncertainty.
The confusion is further compounded because foreign affairs fall under the Department of Kingdom Relations, yet in practice it is Prime Minister Mike Eman who manages this portfolio, while Minister Gerlien Croes presents herself as the responsible authority for the department.
According to Parliamentarian Edgar Vrolijk, this situation creates uncertainty in governance and raises doubts about who truly holds final authority. The scenario is described as problematic for institutional stability and for clarity of responsibility within the government.
Despite the current actions, under existing law and in the absence of a complete and formal legal amendment, final responsibility for decisions regarding Kingdom relations and the function of the Minister Plenipotentiary remains with Prime Minister Mike Eman. Any actions to the contrary are considered to fall outside the legal framework. The question remains: who will be held accountable for these irresponsible decisions by the AVP-FUTURO government?