Status quo until ‘status aparte’

Ruling parties in St Maarten and Curacao were the victors in Friday’s final parliamentary election in the Netherlands Antilles.

In St Maarten the National Alliance which is the local governing party won the three seats assigned to the territory in the 22 seat parliament of the Netherlands Antilles.

In Curacao, where the parliament is based, The Partido Antiyas Restructura (Par), won six of the island’s 14 seats.

The Par heads the current ruling federal coalition which comprises parties from the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles.

The result of the polls means that the coalition will remain in power as it controls 14 of the 22 seats in the federal parliament.

It was the final parliamentary election of the Netherlands Antilles before what’s being referred to as the 10-10-10 ‘status aparte’.

The federation will be disbanded on 10 October this year with individual islands having more control over their internal affairs while maintaining ties with Holland.