WILLEMSTAD – At the closing of the 2024/2025 parliamentary year, opposition leader Quincy Girigorie (PAR) delivered a reflective speech in which he stressed the importance of checks and balances within Curaçao’s democracy. Speaking before Parliament, Girigorie called democracy the purest form of representation of the people’s voice, but warned that it is most vulnerable when power becomes too concentrated.

Girigorie noted that while Parliament plays a critical legislative role, its duty to hold government accountable becomes especially challenging in a system where one party commands an absolute majority. “It is never easy to scrutinize the most popular leaders, especially when they are from your own party,” he said. “But without oversight, history has shown that concentrated power leads to abuse.”

He urged both coalition and opposition members to take their responsibilities seriously, emphasizing that accountability is not always popular but always necessary. “They say, ‘truth-tellers have no chair to sit on.’ In today’s age of disinformation, our role as truth-tellers is more vital than ever,” Girigorie remarked.

The PAR leader also underscored the importance of the judiciary, pointing to past scandals such as the Dutch Toeslagenaffaire as evidence of how governments can destroy lives when unchecked. He urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the courts to maintain independence and restore public trust, cautioning that recent missteps, such as errors in press communications, undermine confidence in justice.

Girigorie further highlighted the role of the press as the “fourth pillar of democracy,” warning that financial pressures, lawsuits, and propaganda threaten independent journalism on the island. “In our small community, we must ensure the press does not lose its role but strengthens it,” he said.

Concluding his speech, Girigorie called on all institutions to safeguard democracy with courage and integrity. “If you want to be popular, sell ice cream,” he quipped, “but if you serve the public, you must embrace criticism and accountability.”