PHILIPSBURG--Party for Progress (PFP) MP Ludmila de Weever voted against the 2026 budget and against her own party’s minister, Patrice Gumbs, in a motion of disapproval during Thursday’s budget debate, but rejected speculation that her decisions signal a rift within the coalition.
De Weever said three coalition MPs voted in favour of the motion of disapproval against Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs. She said she had expected more coalition members to support the motion but stressed that the vote was not a vote of no confidence.
She said she had informed Gumbs beforehand that she would vote in favour of the motion and had also communicated her position to fellow PFP MP Raeyhon Peterson.
De Weever said MPs should be able to make decisions independently of the coalition when they believe it is necessary.
She also said she had informed Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs that voting on the 2026 budget was a difficult decision for her. While she saw improvements, she said she did not believe the budget had gone far enough.
De Weever rejected speculation that her decisions indicated a problem within the coalition. "If someone wants to speculate that we have an issue in the coalition, let them.”
She said she does not prejudge coalition ministers and allows them to carry out their responsibilities, while acknowledging that not everything is going smoothly.
De Weever said she has also been vocal behind closed doors about when the budget would be presented and about issues within government.
She said she has been trying to secure a meeting with one minister but has not yet been able to do so, adding that she wants to communicate her concerns directly.
De Weever stressed that she speaks to people directly rather than discussing them behind their backs. “I have nothing to hide.”
She said that if anyone tries to single her out or portray her as the bad person because of her decisions, she is prepared to face the criticism.
She said she has communicated her positions openly and believes her colleagues understood her decisions.
