THE HAGUE - Volt and GL/PvdA in the Dutch Senate are concerned about the high interest rate that the Dutch government is imposing on Aruba for the COVID-19 loans, citing the Wever-Croes cabinet's opposition to financial supervision through a Kingdom Act.
In the midst of general political debates, Eddy Hartog (Volt) expressed his disappointment, describing it as a "step in the wrong direction." Ferd Crone (GL/PvdA) echoed these concerns, questioning the need for such a stringent approach. Hartog repeatedly inquired about the potential profits for the treasury if Curaçao and Aruba repay the loans as agreed, but State Secretary Van Rij declined to specify an amount.
Both senators find the Dutch government's approach, imposing a "penalty interest" on the islands, to be incongruous within the Kingdom. They have submitted a motion requesting the Dutch government to adopt a more "constructive" stance toward Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. The motion is set for a vote on Tuesday, although it is not expected to receive support from the PVV and FvD, which believe that the COVID-19 loans should not have been extended at all.