During the second round of the final meeting of the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Year, MEP faction Member of Parliament, Drs. Shailiny Tromp-Lee, firmly responded to coalition attacks that attempted to label the opposition as “out of touch,” “negative,” and “destructive.” Tromp-Lee emphasized that the opposition is not there to tarnish anyone’s name, but rather to highlight the sad reality that Aruba is living today.
“We are not negative. The reality is that this coalition is the one completely disconnected from the people,” Tromp-Lee stated. “It is incomprehensible that while the coalition fills the hall with praise and applause for the Government’s supposed ‘good work,’ they themselves turn a blind eye to the lack of transparency, the fear of debate, and the silence of ministers who fail to hold themselves accountable in the People’s House. During this parliamentary year, we couldn’t even call 1 meeting per month, and yet we say things functioned well?”
The coalition itself is a victim of the Ministers’ silence
Tromp-Lee illustrated the lack of constitutional respect by pointing out that coalition MPs themselves are being ignored by their own ministers:
One coalition MP asked 76 questions and received zero answers.
Another asked 180 questions and received only 6 answers.
A third asked 221 questions and likewise received no answers. And the list goes on.
It is incomprehensible that they find this acceptable and fail to understand that to us, this undermines democracy.
“I am glad that finally two coalition MPs have accepted that this is unacceptable. Today, after two years, they wake up from their sleep. Let us hope they can voice this same frustration in their party council (partijraad) and in meetings with their own ministers, instead of simply repeating Government speeches without exerting oversight or demanding transparency.”
Work severely hindered in Committees
Tromp-Lee gave concrete examples of substantial topics that remain paralyzed. Regarding the National Ordinance on Admission and Expulsion (Landsverordening Toelating en Uitzetting – LTU) and the policy of flexibilization, the MEP faction submitted questions expressing deep concern that remained unanswered. On the topic of Youth, the meeting in the Labor Committee to address youth unemployment and the lack of execution of the motion to introduce a minimum starting wage for young people was halted due to a lack of necessary attention. “We all know what happens when we leave our youth without perspective,” the MP warned.
Urgent request for public meetings on current crises
Joining the request of her fellow MP Hart, Tromp-Lee made a direct and firm appeal to the President of Parliament to call urgent meetings to address the issues the public is actively demanding:
HOFA: Convene the public meeting that has been repeatedly requested.
Tour Operators and UTV/ATV: Address the crisis and regulation of this sector.
Hospital (HOH): Confront the lack of financial resources for HOH operations.
Lack of Leadership in Governance: Clarify how it is possible for a vital road on our island to remain closed without any minister knowing or issuing an order for it.
The second example of lack of leadership: Address the absence of the Prime Minister, who is simply nowhere to be found (spoorloos).
“We are here to demand the respect and constitutional oversight that these people deserve. This is not destruction; this is the only way to save Aruba’s democracy,” Tromp-Lee concluded.