Dutch Parliament Takes Step Towards Larger Island Councils on Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba

THE HAGUE – The Dutch House of Representatives held extensive debate on Monday on the bill intended to increase the number of island council members and deputies on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The cabinet wants the expansion to take effect at the island council elections of March 2027 and appears to be able to count on broad support in parliament.

The bill stems from agreements previously reached between the national government and the island administrations to strengthen democratic representation and governing capacity across the three public bodies.

Bonaire is growing, representation is lagging behind

One of the key arguments for the legislative amendment is that the size of the island councils has long since ceased to reflect population growth on the islands. Bonaire stands out in particular.

The island now has over 27,000 residents, yet still has only nine island council members. Dutch municipalities of comparable size typically have significantly more elected representatives.

Christian Union MP Don Ceder therefore called the expansion a "no-brainer".

"That the number of island council members needs to be increased is, in my view, a no-brainer," he stated during the debate. He pointed out that Bonaire, despite its size and responsibilities, has far fewer elected representatives than comparable municipalities in the European Netherlands.

More responsibilities than many Dutch municipalities

According to State Secretary Eric van der Burg, the discussion is not solely about population figures, but above all about the scale of the administrative challenges facing the islands.

"The challenges on those islands are, if anything, greater rather than smaller," said Van der Burg. He noted that the public bodies carry out tasks that in the European Netherlands are often distributed across municipalities, provinces, water boards and regional partnerships.

The State Secretary emphasised that the islands also face circumstances that are not comparable to those of an average Dutch municipality.

"The nearest neighbour is 900 kilometres away when it comes to a Dutch municipality," Van der Burg said, pointing out that cooperation and support cannot be taken for granted on the BES islands.

Support for incoming administrators

During the debate, several parliamentary groups drew attention to the practical implementation of the expansion. This included support for council secretariats, training for new council members, and accommodation for the enlarged island councils.

Van der Burg announced that a number of support programmes are already under way through organisations including ProDemos, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and professional associations for council members, clerks and administrators. Discussions are also ongoing with the island administrations regarding facilities to house the expanded councils.

Democratic equality

During the debate, the State Secretary made clear that, in the cabinet’s view, the bill ultimately comes down to equal representation for residents across the Netherlands.

"Every citizen of the Netherlands must be assured of representation on equal terms," said Van der Burg.

Should the House of Representatives approve the proposal later this month and the Senate also give its consent in time, the new numbers of island council members and deputies can already be applied at the March 2027 elections.

This would bring a commitment that has been on the table for years finally within reach, and see Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba take a new step towards stronger local democracy.