UPB withdraws support from MPB, Bonaire governing coalition loses majority
KRALENDIJK – The UPB has withdrawn its confidence in coalition partner MPB with immediate effect. As a result, the governing coalition of UPB, MPB and the Serberie faction — just four months old — loses its majority in the Island Council.
UPB faction leader Benito Dirksz announced the decision on Thursday in a letter to acting Island Governor Jeaninne Wong Loi Sing. The letter was also signed on behalf of UPB council members Pablo James Kroon and Simeona Chirino-Felida.
According to the UPB, the necessary basis of trust to continue the political cooperation with MPB is absent. The party is therefore immediately withdrawing its support for MPB as a coalition partner.
The coalition consisted of the UPB with three seats, the MPB with one seat and independent Island Council member Salma Serberie. Together they held the smallest possible majority of five out of nine seats. Without the MPB, the UPB and Serberie are left with four seats combined.
The three parties formed a new Executive Council in early April. Jennifer Mohamedjoenoes became commissioner on behalf of the UPB, Joselito Statia on behalf of the MPB and Timoteo Silberie on behalf of the Serberie faction.
Conflict over appointments
Relations within the coalition had been under pressure for some time. The MPB and the Serberie faction opposed several proposals by the UPB this week. These included an appointment made without an open application procedure, a position for a former government official and salary increases for commissioners’ staff.
According to the two coalition partners, these proposals were not in line with the agreements on integrity in governance. The UPB does not explain in its letter why the conflict has now led to a definitive break.
The party is requesting an urgent meeting with Wong Loi Sing to further clarify its position and the political situation that has arisen. A copy of the letter has been sent to the Island Council, the Serberie faction and the MPB.
Commissioners remain in office for now
The withdrawal of political support does not mean that the commissioners are automatically removed from office. Bonaire has no caretaker status in a legal sense, as exists in the Netherlands. Commissioners remain in office until they resign voluntarily or are dismissed by the Island Council.
The Island Council will therefore have to decide how to proceed with the current Executive Council. A new majority coalition requires at least five seats.
The collapse marks yet another governance crisis on Bonaire. The previous governing coalition lost its majority earlier this year after Serberie left the PDB faction. After months of negotiations, the current Executive Council took office on April 2nd, tasked with restoring administrative stability and financial order. Four months later, that majority too has fallen apart.
