THE HAGUE – The Dutch House of Representatives’ Committee for Kingdom Relations is set to lose several experienced members following the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 29, leading to concerns over continuity in handling Caribbean affairs. 

Aukje de Vries, the current spokesperson on Kingdom Relations for the VVD party, has announced she will not seek re-election. De Vries has played a notable role in shaping policies affecting the Dutch Caribbean territories. 

Also departing is Faith Bruyning, who has made a strong impression in Kingdom-related debates over the past year and a half. Her party, however, is facing a dramatic decline in public support and is currently polling between 0 to 2 seats, making her return to parliament unlikely. 

Meanwhile, the re-election prospects for Mpanzu Bamenga of D66 remain uncertain. Although placed 11th on the party’s draft candidate list, recent polls show D66 fluctuating around 10 seats, placing his seat at risk. 

The future of other key committee members such as Raoul White (GroenLinks–PvdA), Peter van Haasen (PVV), and Don Ceder (ChristenUnie) is also unclear, as their respective parties have yet to publish final candidate lists. 

With multiple departures and uncertain returns, the Committee for Kingdom Relations may face a significant reshuffle after the elections, potentially affecting institutional memory and the handling of critical issues involving Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands.