As the cost of living continues to rise drastically every week, PPA Faction Leader Eduard Pieters is issuing a strong call to the Government of Aruba to break its “hermetic silence” and present a concrete mitigation plan. Pieters emphasizes that the current situation is becoming unbearable for the average citizen, who is receiving blow after blow without any form of relief from the authorities.
Empty Promises and Lack of Vision According to Pieters, both the AVP and Futuro parties promised during their campaigns that they would lower the cost of living for the people. However, today’s reality is completely different. “We stand here and see that every Monday a drastic increase is taking place,” Pieters indicates, pointing to the lack of a clear plan or vision to curb this inflation.
The PPA leader points out that the Aruban people are suffering and going through very difficult times. The economic burden has become too great for households to carry, especially when they see how other islands in the Kingdom, such as Curaçao and Sint Maarten, have already started taking steps forward.
Fiscal Change: From BBO to (BTW) In the coming days, the PPA faction will request to summon the relevant Ministers, including Minister of Finance Geoffrey Wevers and the Prime Minister, to provide explanations to Parliament. Pieters recalls that PPA presented an option and a solution during the 2024 election to face this situation:
- Implementation of (BTW): PPA proposes making a fiscal change by eliminating the BBO and switching to a VAT system.
- Responsibility: Pieters argues that this must be done in a responsible manner to bring real relief to the citizens’ wallets.
Criticism of the AVP-Futuro Coalition Pieters did not shy away from questioning the change in stance of the AVP party. Although they once campaigned against HOFA and fiscal burdens, today they seem to have embraced those same policies alongside Futuro. “Where did AVP go in demanding this change from BBO to BTW?” Pieters asks, making an exception only for Mike de Meza, who according to him, has remained faithful to his viewpoint.
The situation remains in a state of total uncertainty, while the people wait for a solution to soften the economic blow threatening the well-being of all families in Aruba.