Two of the three so-called BES islands are facing governance issues this week (see related stories). In St. Eustatius, Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Councilman Clyde van Putten announced that he no longer supports the Executive Council.
However, according to political leader and Commissioner Rechelline Leerdam no formal written notification of such had yet been received through official channels. She said PLP “does not belong to any individual” and is governed by the collective will of its membership, adding that the party is “in transition, not in crisis”.
The commissioner clarified that Van Putten’s statements reflected his personal views rather than the collective position of the party. She noted that PLP does not support the manner in which these comments were made, particularly attempts to resolve internal matters through public declarations and external media platforms.
Leerdam also emphasised that progress on the island has been achieved through cooperation across party lines, rather than the efforts of any single political group. “The people of Statia deserve leaders who respect democratic processes and place the island’s stability above personal positioning,” she said.
In Bonaire, Island Council member Salma Serberie abandoned the parliamentary faction of “Partido Demokratiko Boneriano” (PDB). Serberie submitted her resignation as a faction member on Tuesday but retained her seat, leaving open the question of whether she will continue to support the Executive Council.
In a letter addressed to the Island Governor John Soliano, Serberie wrote that she had decided “no longer to associate myself with the PDB faction.” She cited disagreements with recent decision-making and the political direction taken within the faction, stating that these no longer align with her convictions, values and the way she wishes to fulfil her role as an elected representative.
Serberie did not specify which decisions prompted her departure, nor did she indicate whether she intends to join the opposition. Her letter emphasised that she is consciously retaining her seat out of commitment to her voters and expressed hope that PDB will engage in “serious self-reflection and reorientation.”
The current coalition consists of PDB and two independent councilmen, Coffie and Vrolijk, both former members of “Movementu di Pueblo Boneriano” (MPB). Together, they held a slim majority of five out of nine seats.
Serberie’s departure from PDB’s faction does not automatically bring down the local government, as political dynamics remain fluid. Notably, one member of the opposition UPB faction has recently appeared more aligned with the coalition’s policy direction than with that of his own party.
Nevertheless, developments on both islands signal a period of political instability in the Caribbean Netherlands, with majorities increasingly dependent on shifting alliances and personal positions. This comes at a time when expansion of both the Island- and Executive Councils is on the table due to growing populations, although Saba now opposes doing so for next year’s election.
Such a move could perhaps lead to more stable coalitions, but the biggest problem remains the “free mandate” principle in the Dutch Kingdom, whereby legislators can abandon their factions while keeping their seats and are allowed to combine forces with others. That is not likely to change any time soon, because elected representatives are expected to act in good conscience and defend the general interest, rather than always toe the party line.
