Politics of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba

January 28, 2008 5:49 PM

Curacao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius together constitute the Netherlands Antilles (the “N.A.”). This is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Willemstad (capital of Curacao) is home to the central government of the N.A., whereas each island has its own territorial government and parliament (Island Council), responsible for those affairs that result from the decentralization of authority.

Every four years the members of the Netherlands Antilles parliament are elected by popular vote. The coalition parties, generally formed by the winning party with the majority of seats and one or more other parties who successfully participated in the elections, will form the Central Government and appoint its Prime Minister and other Ministers. The Queen appoints the Governor who mainly has a representative function. The members of the Island Council are also elected every four years.

Aruba has a full autonomous status as far as internal affairs are concerned in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch Government remains accountable for defense and foreign affairs. The legal system is the same in all parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with minor differences in their legislation.

Administration of Justice
In the Netherlands Antilles legal cases are heard by the Court of First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles (with representation on every island) and in Aruba by the Court of First Instance. There is one Appellate Court for both jurisdictions, viz. the “Joint Court of Justice for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba”. The High Court of the Netherlands, located in The Hague, the Netherlands, is the only Court of Cassation in the Kingdom and (in the last instance) hears all appeal cases tried in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

Government Leaders
Since 30 April 1980, Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix has been holding the function of Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In the Netherlands Antilles she is represented by Governor General Mr. Frits M. d.l.S. Goedgedrag, residing at Willemstad, Curacao. Currently, Mrs. Emily S. de Jongh-Elhage is the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles and head of the Central Government. In Aruba this function is currently occupied by Mr. Nelson O. Oduber.

More information
Central Government Netherlands Antilles
Central Government Aruba
Factbook CIA Aruba
Factbook CIA Netherlands Antilles