December 7, 2024: A Day After the Elections on Aruba

December 7, 2024: A Day After the Elections on Aruba

December 7, 2024

It’s Saturday, December 7, 2024, the day after the parliamentary elections in Aruba. The results were announced early this morning at 5 a.m.:

AVP: 9 seats

MEP: 8 seats

Futuro: 3 seats

PPA: 1 seat

What Do the Results Tell Us? The voters have sent a clear message: they appreciate the stability that the MEP government has pro-vided over the past seven years but are ready for change. With the AVP securing the most seats, they are in a position to govern, but they will need to form a coalition with Futuro. This partnership signals a desire for renewal and a fresh approach. This in combination with a new young AVP leader.

The leader of MEP has acknowledged the outcome with grace, stating that it is now up to others to form a coalition.

The results took their time, keeping everyone on edge, but the process was a testament to democracy. Aruba can take pride in the order-ly conduct of the campaign and the elections. The focus now shifts to the parties, politicians, and future leaders, who must shape the next government.

In a world where elections often lead to chaos, Aruba stands as an example of calm and stability.

Meanwhile, on Curaçao... Curaçao, on the other hand, is gearing up for its own elections, and the political climate feels far less stable. Recent developments include:

A sitting MP facing legal troubles.

A Finance Minister under scrutiny by justice authorities.

Candidates failing the mandatory screening process.

A young sitting MP is caught lying to enter the race for the presidency of the Latin American Parliament.

Adding to the turmoil, the Supreme Court recently upheld a ruling that Wijnmakerij Curaçao was essentially driven away to Aruba by the Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH). This was a missed opportunity for Curaçao, now scrambling to hold onto its controversial e-gaming industry—a sector in which it is a global leader.

With Sinterklaas celebrations behind us, the countdown to Santa Claus, Carnival, and the election campaign season begins. Soon, the people of Curaçao will have their turn at the ballot box. Let’s hope they vote wisely, with the future in mind.

Miguel Goede