In her speech, Van der Pluijm-Vrede elaborated on the importance of a transparent government that gives account to the people. There are challenges regarding public health, education, safety and economic and financial development, but also problems regarding the distance between citizens and government and between citizens among themselves that should be tackled. As yet it is unknown how all of these issues are to be solved. The PS/PAIS/PNP/Sulvaran coalition accord offers suggestions, but these require further elaboration and crystallisation, said the Acting Governor. In addition to all of these problems, she also believes considerable attention should be given to restoring confidence in local politics.

 

“In the year 2013 citizens will personally feel the impact of the painful measures to be taken by government. Nevertheless, I am convinced there can be trust in the governing of the island and that this trust will only increase once the government is to make painful choices which will have direct consequences for the citizens,” she said.

 

She mentioned some of those painful choices, such as increasing the old age pension AOV retirement age and introducing the more sober basic medical insurance, the economisation and restructuring in the public health sector, reforms in the educational field and choices to be made on subsidies and employing civil servants. “It comes down to government having to demonstrate continuously that it makes conscious and necessary choices, but also that its choices are not abstract, but have direct consequences for people, for employees and companies, for the entire community,” said Van der Pluijm-Vrede.

 

According to her, much energy and courage is required in 2013 to solve problems correctly and to strengthen Curaçao and its economy in the long term.