THE HAGUE – The revamped reporting method on the progress of implementing the Kingdom Economic Packages for Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten has not been well-received in the Tweede Kamer (Dutch Parliament). Several MPs have expressed dissatisfaction with the changes, calling for a return to a more transparent and straightforward approach.
“It looks visually appealing, but I found the old red-orange-green traffic light system much clearer. Important information is now buried under a mountain of unnecessary ‘don’t-wanna-know’ fluff,” stated Peter van Haasen (PVV) during a committee debate with State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabó. Van Haasen’s remarks were echoed by Aukje de Vries (VVD), who argued that the reports should focus more on achieved results.
Concerns Over Transparency
The CAS (Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten) governments had criticized the old reporting format for its clarity, which often highlighted that numerous projects were falling behind schedule. However, the updated format, while visually appealing, has raised concerns over the obfuscation of critical data.
Peter van Haasen elaborated on his concerns, stating, “The new reporting system looks great, but the old traffic light method was more straightforward. Vital details are buried under layers of unnecessary information. For instance, on Aruba, the physical education infrastructure is marked as ‘on schedule,’ yet initial assessments of school buildings have been delayed due to a lack of resources. This clearly indicates that progress is not on track.”
He also highlighted inconsistencies in the reports, noting that upward-pointing arrows, which suggest projects are on schedule, often reflect activities that have yet to commence. “This creates confusion and detracts from the actual state of progress,” he said.
Political Instability and Implementation Delays
Political instability in the CAS countries has further hindered the execution of the Kingdom Packages. Sint Maarten’s government, for example, has been in a caretaker state for much of the year, delaying decision-making and implementation. Meanwhile, Curaçao faces ongoing financial management issues, including the forgiveness of 3 billion guilders in uncollectible tax debts, only to see arrears rise again to 3.4 billion guilders in 2024.
In Aruba, the outgoing Wever-Croes administration announced a significant tax cut, exempting 16,000 residents from income tax and reducing taxes for 12,000 others. Critics argue this decision could create a substantial financial burden for the incoming government.
“This raises questions about the reliability of the tax authorities. Is their efficiency based on ease of non-collection?” Van Haasen questioned, pointing to unresolved issues surrounding the Kingdom Law on refinancing COVID-19 loans, which has a May 2025 deadline. He noted that the political fallout in Aruba following the election loss of the Wever-Croes administration could jeopardize the timely resolution of these matters.
Issues of Responsibility and Oversight
Van Haasen also addressed concerns over jurisdictional ambiguities. He referenced the recent passage of the Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (National Ordinance on Gaming) by Curaçao’s Parliament, noting its relevance to justice and safety but observing its transfer to the Kingdom Relations portfolio during budget discussions in the Tweede Kamer.
“Will the state secretary transfer it back to the Justice and Safety portfolio, or will Kingdom Relations now oversee motions initially assigned to other budgets?” he asked, emphasizing the need for clarity.