KRALENDIJK – Commissioner Joselito Statia has stepped down from his position in the executive council of Bonaire. The reason for his departure has not yet been officially announced. The coalition parties are now offering different accounts of the events.
The coalition consists of UPB, MPB and Fractie Serberie.
Interim executive Jolinda Craane denies that there are tensions within the coalition. She does, however, say that she and other coalition partners did not always feel taken seriously. "We are not being taken seriously," said Craane. At the same time, she stresses that she does not have the authority to decide whether a commissioner remains in office. "I am not in the seat of the Island Council."
According to Craane, Statia regularly acted on his own initiative and communication with the coalition fell short. "We did not want him to leave," she said. Craane also emphasizes that UPB wishes to continue the current coalition and remain part of the governing partnership.
On behalf of the MPB, Hennyson Thielman offers a different account of the events. According to him, Jolinda Craane was the one who asked Joselito Statia to resign. Thielman also states that other parties such as Fraktie Vrolijk and M21 will respond on behalf of the other coalition partners regarding the situation that has arisen.
These statements appear to suggest that the MPB may no longer be part of the current coalition. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed, leaving it unclear how the executive council will be composed in the period ahead.
