ORANJESTAD – The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) of St. Eustatius is backing a recent call by BBB Senator Robbert Lievense to pass special legislation enabling the expansion of the island councils on Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius.
The expansion of the councils was part of an earlier agreement between the three islands and former State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen, which included an initial increase of two seats per island starting with the 2027 elections. Additional expansions were to follow in later years, subject to review.
However, the PLP and other island governments are concerned about delays after caretaker State Secretary Szabó paused the broader WolBES and FinBES legislative reform process, sending it back for internet consultation. The delay threatens to derail the timely implementation of the agreed council expansions, a prospect the islands have called “unacceptable.”
The PLP supports Senator Lievense’s proposal to separate the expansion from the broader legislative overhaul and push it through as a “spoedwet,” or emergency law. According to the party, this would ensure the changes are in place by the 2027 elections and help address the growing administrative workload faced by local governments.
BES-week
The PLP plans to raise the issue again during the upcoming BES Summit in The Hague next week. The expansion also includes an increase in the number of island commissioners and aims to bring the governance structures of the Caribbean Netherlands more in line with those in the European part of the Kingdom.
The statement of the PLP has been issued on behalf of PLP Island Council Members Clyde van Putten, Glenville Schmidt, and Derrick Simmons.
