PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Senator Marcel Gumbs wants Prime Minister Etienne Ys and his colleague from Aruba to join forces to convince Holland to form a new government as soon as possible.
In a letter to Ys, sent through Chairman of Parliament Dudley Lucia on Sunday, Gumbs pointed out that political parties in the Netherlands, "our partner together with Aruba in the Kingdom," up to this date have been unable to form a government. Elections were held in January this year and talks between the two largest parties broke down last week.
"Political parties in the Netherlands have a responsibility not only towards the people that voted for them there, but because of our constitutional design within the Kingdom, they also carry certain responsibilities towards the people of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba," Gumbs stated.
According to the Senator, there are a number of "pressing" and "urgent" points on the Kingdom's agenda that require political decisions. He mentioned financial matters relating to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), constitutional reform within the Netherlands Antilles, development cooperation, drug transport, combating crime and security within the Kingdom.
These matters, Gumbs stated, have been "stagnant for more than six months" because there is no government in the Netherlands, "that together with the other partners in the Kingdom, has to take major decisions on these important matters."
Stating that the Kingdom has "landed in a political crisis" and new elections in the Netherlands will "only prolong and worsen this crisis," Gumbs urged Prime Minister Ys to approach Aruba's Prime Minister Nel Oduber.
The idea would be for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba to "make use of the services of their offices, political resources and assistance" to convince political The Hague that it is "imperative" and in the interest of all that a government be formed shortly, the Senator explained.
Give us your opinion on this story ![[new]](/images/new.gif)
Post a message on our message board! Click Here!
