WILLEMSTAD – The Parliament of Curaçao convenes today in a public session to debate the recommendations of a temporary committee tasked with resolving the long-standing housing issue of the legislature. The meeting follows the approval of the committee’s report during a Central Committee session earlier this week.
A central question raised during that meeting came from Giselle Mc William, MP for the MAN party, who questioned why the current Parliament should decide on a matter that could be left to the incoming Parliament, which is set to be sworn in on May 11. In response, Juniel Carolina of MFK, chair of the temporary committee, argued that any delay would lead to unnecessary time loss.
The committee’s most notable recommendation is to temporarily relocate parliamentary sessions to the Forti government building, which currently houses the Council of Ministers. Carolina explained that this is an ideal moment to make the decision, as Forti is already undergoing renovations. If approved now, necessary adjustments for parliamentary use can be incorporated into the renovation plans. Postponement could mean that completed work would need to be redone, wasting resources.
Another issue under discussion is the renovation of the historic Stadhuis building, where the entrance is currently being used for parliamentary activities. The committee proposes creating a new access route from Wilhelminaplein to the Waterfort Arches to improve accessibility and security.
Carolina also noted that a representative from the Ministry of General Affairs had indicated no objection to Parliament using Forti temporarily for a period of two to three years. However, MP Mc William raised a constitutional concern: she questioned whether it is appropriate, in a democratic system based on the separation of powers, for the legislative branch to meet in the same building as the executive.
The outcome of today’s meeting could shape where and how Curaçao’s Parliament functions for the next several years, and may influence broader discussions on transparency, independence, and institutional infrastructure.
