WILLEMSTAD--Curaçao Governor Lucille George-Wout has named Kenneth Gijsbertha of MAN "informateur" to gather more information from political parties that are willing to form a new government.
The governor held consultations on October 7 and 8 with the Vice-Chairman of the Council of Advice, the President of Parliament, the Minister of State and leaders of political parties that received one or more Parliament seats in last week's election. On the basis of their opinions, she Governor met with Gijsbertha and gave him the task to continue the formation talks.
According to the governor's release, the results of the elections showed a highly differentiated political landscape. At the same time, Curaçao has major challenges in the field of education, public health and safety.
"The promotion of social cohesion, stable economic growth and sound public finances deserve continued attention. All this requires a decisive reliable public administration that offers stability and tranquillity so that the confidence of the society in governance in general and in politics, in particular, can be increased," the statement read.
Meanwhile, MAN, PAR, PNP and PS have signed a declaration showing their willingness to form a government based on their majority of 12 seats in the new 21-seat Parliament. In addition, the parties indicated that they do not exclude a coalition with more parties.
In light of all this the governor requested Gijsbertha to inform her at the earliest possible date whether these political parties are willing to form a two-thirds majority in Parliament and if they can agree on a governing programme that is based on a common vision and approach in relation to the challenges Curaçao is facing.
If the prospective MAN/PAR/PNP/PS coalition were to include the two one-seat parties MP and UKH they would reach the 14 seats needed for a two-thirds majority. The two latter incoming parties in such a case would probably have to "share" one of the nine ministers as was done in the past, leaving eight to be divided three each for MAN and PAR (both four seats) and one each for PNP and PS (both two seats).
