WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Parliament has taken a clear stance against the expanded use of consensus Kingdom acts, warning that such legislation can entrench unequal power relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This position is outlined in the Parliament’s official response to the Council of State’s advisory opinion on the future of the Kingdom Charter .
According to the Parliament, consensus legislation often conceals an imbalance of power, as it may formally appear voluntary while materially limiting the policy freedom of Caribbean countries. Without clear and realistic exit clauses, consensus arrangements risk becoming permanent constraints rather than cooperative instruments.
The Parliament therefore supports the principle that cooperation should primarily take place through mutual arrangements between countries. Consensus Kingdom acts should only be used in exceptional cases involving clearly defined Kingdom interests, and only if they include explicit and balanced termination or revision mechanisms.
The decision warns that long-term binding agreements without meaningful exit options undermine democratic freedom and may lead to contractual fixation rather than genuine partnership.