Member of Parliament Edgar Vrolijk has expressed his satisfaction with the recent advice from the Raad van State (Council of State). According to Vrolijk, this advice complements what was already stipulated by the Raad van Advies (Advisory Council), particularly because it brings balance to the concerns that he and the opposition have advocated for regarding the limitations on parliamentary authority.
The MP emphasized that the advice of the Raad van State confirms that the authority of the people’s representatives and the country’s own constitution could be affected. Even though the word “temporary” (tijdelijk) is used in the discussions, Vrolijk urges for extreme caution.
One of the cardinal questions that the Raad van State asks, according to Vrolijk, is how one can define what is temporary if there is no clarity regarding the PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) projects or the loans that must be maintained at a certain percentage. “When you lack clarity on these financial points, you can no longer speak of a temporary situation; at that point, the measures become permanent,” Vrolijk explained.
He provided an example to make it easier for the public to understand: the rule stipulates that a debt-to-GDP limit must be maintained below 50% for three consecutive years. However, if the debts of the PPPs are added to this debt, the percentage automatically rises. That is precisely why the Raad van State demands clarity on whether these sums remain on or off the balance sheet.
According to the MP, the reality is that Aruba could remain trapped in a financial bubble for a long period of 10 to 15 years, thereby losing its financial autonomy.
Vrolijk also showed great concern over the fact that for any law that carries financial consequences in Aruba, approval from the Rijksministerraad (Council of Ministers of the Kingdom) is required. This, according to the MP, means a massive loss of the “say” that the people have in deciding on their own money and progress, making the job of a parliamentarian much more difficult.
Furthermore, Vrolijk launched a sharp critique directed at a minister who, according to his statement, ‘copy-pasted’ an article from the press that was paid for by the government of Aruba itself. “It is a shame that the Raad van State itself had to react to that article to show that it absolutely does not align with the actual advice they gave,” Vrolijk declared.
Vrolijk reminds the ministers that they hold an important role and are the face of the country; therefore, they need to elevate matters to a higher level and truly work for the Country of Aruba.
To conclude, Edgar Vrolijk reiterated that the advice of the Raad van State is a good instrument that substantiates not only the position of the opposition, but also the voice of the trade unions (vakbonden) and the more than 10,000 citizen signatures opposing the “HOFA Law”.
MP Edgar Vrolijk concluded that although it may be a long road to fix this matter, the solution must come through a mutual internal arrangement or by calmly amending the law, always keeping the country’s interests in mind and remedying the loans that came from the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
