Politics of the Netherlands Antilles
The politics of the Netherlands Antilles, a former constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, existed in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic country, in which the prime minister was the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power was exercised by the government. Federal legislative power was vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary was independent of the executive and the legislature. The Netherlands Antilles had full autonomy on most matters. Exceptions were defence, foreign affairs, and the Supreme Court.
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Netherlands Antilles |
Executive power rested with a governor, and a prime minister headed an eight-member Cabinet. The governor was appointed for a six-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister were elected by the Staten for four-year terms. The legislature or Staten elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms.
The judicial system, which had mainly been derived from the Dutch system, operated independently of the legislature and the executive. Jurisdiction, including appeal, lied with the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Antilles were disbanded on 10 October 2010.[1]
Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since | Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch | Beatrix | 30 April 1980 | 10 October 2010 | |
| Governor | Frits Goedgedrag | 1 July 2002 | 10 October 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Emily de Jongh-Elhage | PAR | 26 March 2006 | 10 October 2010 |
The Governor was appointed by the monarch for a six-year term.
The Council of Ministers was elected by the Staten.
Legislative branch
Unicameral Estates of the Netherlands Antilles (22 seats; members were elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Political parties and elections
Political parties were indigenous to each island.
| Parties | Island | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party for the Restructured Antilles (Partido Antiá Restrukturá) | Curaçao | 26,641 | 6 | +1 | |
List of Change (Lista di Kambio)
|
Curaçao | 23,552 | 5 | — | |
| Sovereign People (Pueblo Soberano) | Curaçao | 10,789 | 2 | +2 | |
| National People's Party (Partido Nashonal di Pueblo) | Curaçao | 6,494 | 1 | –1 | |
| Party Workers' Liberation Front 30th of May (Partido Frente Obrero Liberashon 30 Di Mei) | Curaçao | 4,373 | 0 | –2 | |
| Democratic Party (Democratische Partij) | Curaçao | 1,815 | 0 | — | |
| Party for an Emancipated People (Partido un Pueblo Emansipa) | Curaçao | 311 | 0 | — | |
| Movement Opposing Isla Refinery (Movementu Solushon Isla) | Curaçao | 195 | 0 | — | |
| National Alliance | Sint Maarten | 6,939 | 3 | +1 | |
| Democratic Party Sint Maarten (Democratische Partij Sint Maarten) | Sint Maarten | 3,560 | 0 | –1 | |
| People's Progressive Alliance | Sint Maarten | 916 | 0 | — | |
| Bonaire Patriotic Union (Union Patriotico Bonairano) | Bonaire | 3,673 | 2 | — | |
| Bonaire Democratic Party (Partido Democratico Bonairano) | Bonaire | 2,720 | 1 | — | |
| List of Change (Lista di Kambio) | Bonaire | 1,126 | 0 | — | |
| Democratic Party Sint Eustatius (Democratische Partij Sint Eustatius) | Sint Eustatius | 602 | 1 | — | |
| Progressive Labour Party | Sint Eustatius | 341 | 0 | — | |
| Windwards Islands People's Movement | Saba | 393 | 1 | — | |
| Total | 22 | — | |||
| Sources: Amigoe Bonaire Reporter St. Maarten Island Time | |||||
Judicial branch
Joint High Court of Justice, judges appointed by the monarch
Administrative divisions
The Antilles were divided into five insular territories: Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles were disbanded.
Reform
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO (associate)
References
- "End of the road for Dutch Antilles < Dutch news". Expatica The Netherlands. Retrieved 10 October 2010.