In recent days, members of parliament from the AVP and Futuro have claimed that the MEP government is responsible for the so-called “Rijkswet.” This is incorrect and shows that either they do not know the history of our country or they are once again trying to manipulate information.
How did it all start?
In 2009, the Nel Oduber IV Cabinet left Aruba’s national debt at 45% of GDP, maintaining responsible and transparent financial management. Within just five years, the Mike Eman I and II Cabinets doubled that debt — reaching 90%.
This led to serious discussions and conflicts with the Netherlands, resulting in Aruba being placed under financial supervision (KB), and being forced to implement formal financial oversight.
At that time, the Netherlands demanded that this financial supervision be formalized through a Rijkswet (Kingdom law). However, the then Prime Minister pleaded for it not to be done that way, asking instead for it to be established through a landsverordening (local law), while making numerous promises.
Among other things, he promised to maintain the financial norms set out in that law.
That agreement was signed by former Minister Plasterk for the Netherlands, and for Aruba by former Minister Mike Eman (AVP) and former Minister Angel Bermudez (founder of Futuro).
However, Mike Eman and Angel Bermudez did not fulfill their commitments to the Netherlands and did not adhere to any of the financial standards established in the agreement. As a result, the Netherlands brought the Rijkswet proposal back to the table.
When the government changed in 2017 and the MEP-POR-RED coalition took office — implementing solid and responsible financial management — the Netherlands could no longer impose the Rijkswet, and it had to be shelved.
Then, when the pandemic struck in 2020, the Netherlands once again revived the Rijkswet proposal.
We fought for five years to prevent its implementation — through strategy, negotiation, and dialogue. We succeeded in getting all proposed Rijkswetten — CHE, COHO, RAFT — off the table.
However, when the Rijkswet HOFA was reintroduced, we were no longer in government, and the rest is history: on August 13, the current government agreed to the text of the Rijkswet without approval from the Council of Ministers or Parliament.
Now, Parliament remains the only tool available — to stop this Rijkswet and send the government back to the negotiating table to reach a better deal with the Netherlands.
This historical summary is especially for those who do not know the background.
It is always important to know your history — to understand your present — so that you can succeed in the future.
Press release: MEP
