10-10-10 uncertain after collapse of Dutch cabinet

February 22, 2010 6:34 AM

The politics in the Antilles are seriously considering a delay of the political transformation-process with the collapse of the Dutch cabinet.

The Law Public Bodies BES (WOL-BES) is on the agenda of the Lower Chamber for March 4th, and the plenary discussion of the five consensus national laws (CRW) and the Statute-amendment is planned between April 6th and 15th.

The Dutch cabinet collapsed yesterday evening because the PvdA-members had stepped out.
It depends on the question whether the Lower Chamber will declare the dossier political course or certain legislation controversial, or if it will come to a halt, according to the spokesperson of State-Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Ank Bijleveld-Schouten (CDA). “For the time being, we are heading for an uncertain period.”
Apart from healing the breach – which seems improbable, but was not rejected beforehand by those involved last evening – the cabinet will probably continue without PvdA after the resignation. The Lower Chamber decides what they are and are not going to discuss. The subjects involving considerable differences of opinion, will be declared ‘controversial’, and will no longer be discussed. One candidate regarding the latter, for example is the increase of the AOW-age from 65 to 67 years.
It seems obvious that the Chamber will approach the legislation regarding the political structure as one package, therefore discussing either everything or none of the laws. According to States-chairman Pedro Atacho and Premier Emily de Jongh-Elhage (both of PAR), it is important that the Lower Chamber discusses the WOL-BES, the CRW’s for Curaçao and St. Maarten, and the Statute-amendment. After all, that would make the political transformation-process irreversible, according to Atacho.
De Jongh-Elhage says “Let’s wait and see what will happen”. The Premier hopes to gain more clarity on Monday from State-Secretary Bijleveld on the position of the Lower Chamber regarding the discussion of the various laws. The State-Secretary does not wish to respond personally today on the collapse of the Dutch cabinet and what this could imply for the political process. According to her spokesperson, “it’s hard to say anything useful now”. Also according to the Dutch-representative Rob Vermaas, at the moment ‘one cannot predict whether there will be consequences for the political process, and if so, which ones’. “Whatever is possible depends on the order Jan Peter Balkenende will return with from the Queen.”

Both De Jongh-Elhage and Atacho are not that positive on the feasibility of October 10th, when the Antilles will be dismantled and the new entities become a fact. Both are seriously considering (some) delay.
Atacho describes the situation as ‘unpleasant’ but he is reasonably optimistic that the Lower Chamber will have discussed the CRW’s and the adjustments to the Statute in April, as agreed upon. As he estimates the situation, the political transformation-process should be considered a ‘current matter’. That implies that current matters could be dealt with by the resigned cabinet” according to Atacho.
The reason for the collapse of the cabinet – the mission in Uruzgan – has nothing to do with the political transformation-process; therefore, Atacho does not see any reason why the political transformation-process should be halted. “A majority in the Lower Chamber, the coalition and opposition parties D66 and Groen Links support the process.”
Even if elections are to be held and another Dutch cabinet is formed, this new cabinet will have to respect the decisions of the Lower Chamber, says Atacho. “Once again, it is therefore of cardinal importance that the Lower Chamber approves the laws.”
PAR-leader Glenn Sulvaran takes it one step further in his reasoning and states that besides the fact that the reason for the collapse of the Dutch cabinet has nothing to do with the political transformation-process, it is also true that the United Nations offer some protection when it concerns the self-governing right of the islands. In this case, says Sulvaran, it is not the intention that the Netherlands obstruct the process for the Antillean islands. “The Dutch government must assist and facilitate. The question is: who is eventually going to take the decision. A majority in the Lower Chamber? In that case, one must await the Chamber’s position and whether they find the political course too controversial to be discussed” according to Sulvaran.
In the meantime, De Jongh-Elhage has had contact with Bijleveld and shortly with the Dutch Premier Jan Peter Balkenende. De Jongh-Elhage could not say whether new elections would be held. “Balkenende is still to speak with the Queen. She is currently in Austria”, says De Jongh-Elhage.
The Premier sincerely regrets that the Dutch cabinet has collapsed and hopes that the Lower Chamber will view the political transformation-process as one of the current matters, which it still needs to deal with.
“Bijleveld will be consulting with the Lower Chamber next Monday on the discussion of the laws”, says De Jongh-Elhage. The Premier found it encouraging that Bijleveld had not sounded affected or negative.

One consultation and RTC
On the pending political consultations regarding the political transformation-process, De Jongh-Elhage states that all-important decisions have already been taken. “Only with regard to the police, one must review whether Curaçao and St. Maarten would still have to comply with certain criteria. There is still one political consultation on the agenda for the end of April/beginning of May. This is to be followed by the Round Table Conference. The current collapse of the Dutch cabinet can only imply a delay, but the most important decisions have already been taken.”

Source National Newspaper Amigoe

20 February 2010