Crying shame
By stating that no decisions can be taken at the upcoming Round Table Conference on the constitutional reforms without its consent, the Second Chamber of Parliament once again threatens to derail the current process to resolve an issue that has already plagued the Dutch Caribbean for so long. A failed RTC and consequently further delay in settling the matter after two earlier postponements of the target date would almost certainly erode public support on the islands, but also in The Hague, to the point where it is doubtful at best whether the desired result will ever be achieved.
That is important to remember, because the choice for the new constitutional statuses being worked on for the islands was made not by Dutch or Antillean politicians, but by the people. The Dutch Members of Parliament would do well to show a little more respect for that outcome of a completely democratic process called a referendum.
Granted, the Dutch and consequently the Kingdom Government needs to maintain the majority support of the Second Chamber for its policies, but that does not take away the authority of Prime Minister Balkenende to sign agreements and take decisions for which his cabinet will then be held accountable. By saying ahead of time it will not allow that, the Second Chamber is to a certain extent transgressing its constitutional role.
However, it must no doubt be seen as a serious political warning that cannot be ignored either. The fact that Balkenende will go to Parliament next week to give an explanation in any case gives his government a chance to get the necessary backing from at least the coalition parties, because an RTC without decisions makes no sense at all.
Perhaps its time again for the Antillean Parliament now meeting on the 2009 budget which by the way includes the debt relief accompanying the constitutional changes to raise its voice. That the Dutch Second Chamber would take such a strong position beforehand on what is clearly a Kingdom matter without consulting the Antillean Parliament is in itself questionable and shows little regard for the elected representatives of the people of the islands.
This is precisely an example of the much discussed democratic deficit at the Kingdom level, where the Antilles has no legislative representation and while it sits in on the Kingdom Council of Ministers consisting of the Dutch Cabinet, it has no vote. A lot of beautiful words have been dedicated to this subject at various meetings between the Parliaments of the Kingdom, but when it comes to putting that feeling in practice, the Members of Dutch Parliament suddenly seem to have forgotten them.
And that is a crying shame.
Give us your opinion on this story ![[new]](/images/new.gif)
Post a message on our message board! Click Here!
