From left: D66 Party Leader Rob Jetten, St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell, Aruba Minister Plenipotentiary Shanda John and Curaçao Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel.
THE HAGUE--Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell attended an Extraordinary Joint Session of the States General on Thursday, November 20, 2025, marking 80 years since the Dutch parliament reconvened after the Second World War.
The commemorative session was held in the historic Grote Kerk in The Hague to honour the first joint meeting of the First and Second Chambers on November 20, 1945, following years of suspension during the war. Both Chambers had been rendered inoperative during the conflict, and the post-war reconstruction of the Kingdom involved not only rebuilding infrastructure but also restoring democratic governance.
By attending the session, Arrindell underscored St. Maarten’s engagement in the constitutional and democratic traditions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Her presence underscored “recognition of the past” as well as St. Maarten’s “commitment to shared values, inter-island cooperation, and the safeguarding of democratic principles for future generations.”
Extraordinary joint sessions are rare. The most recent session before 2025 took place in 2015, marking the 200th anniversary of the States General. The date of November 20, 2025, was chosen to reflect on “the end of the war, the meaning of freedom, and the importance of protecting democratic institutions in a time marked by conflict, polarization, and societal pressures.”
The ceremony began at 10:30am and lasted one hour. King Willem-Alexander and Princess Amalia attended as guests. Speeches were delivered by the Presidents of both Chambers, outgoing Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Dick Schoof, and General (ret.) Peter van Uhm, who reflected on the resilience of Dutch democracy and the necessity of safeguarding its foundations.
