WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Parliament on Wednesday did not grant a majority vote to parliamentarian Gwendell Mercelina’s candidacy for president of Parlatino, the Latin American Parliament. Mercelina, a member of the PNP party, confirmed.
Parties MFK, KEM, and Djaoen-Genaro withheld their support for Mercelina’s nomination. Mercelina shared that Parlatino officials had personally approached him, asking him to put himself forward as a candidate for the position.
"This speaks volumes about what is really happening on the island," Mercelina stated. "It’s difficult to rise above the politics and always choose what’s best for Curaçao. The political game takes precedence. The subject is of great importance to Curaçao. I was asked to run because they know my abilities, but maybe it’s just not my time yet."
The issue was raised in a meeting of the Central Committee, where the Parliament voted on whether to discuss the matter in a public parliamentary session. Had the proposal been approved, Mercelina’s colleagues would have had the opportunity to publicly express their support or lack thereof for his candidacy.
While Mercelina, along with fellow parliamentarians Steven Martina (MAN), Zita Jesus-Leito (independent), Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, and Sheldry Osepa, voted in favor of the proposal, the motion failed to secure sufficient votes.
Mercelina had announced his candidacy for the Parlatino presidency two weeks ago during a session of the Central Committee.