THE HAGUE - The first chance to demonstrate that The Hague is serious about reducing the democratic deficit within the Kingdom has been undermined by the intended coalition of PVV, NSC, VVD, and BBB. These parties voted today against a relatively harmless motion by Curaçaoan MP Gwendell Mercelina.
The motion, submitted last week during the debate on amending the tax treaty between the Netherlands and Curaçao, in which special delegates from the States participated, requested the removal of obstacles preventing Curaçao from entering into tax treaties. Although Foreign Minister Bruins Slot had no objection to the motion's intent and left the decision to the House, Mercelina – seated in the chairperson's box at the invitation of House Speaker Bosman – faced bitter disappointment. The support from GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, SP, CDA, Party for the Animals, ChristenUnie, SGP, and Forum for Democracy proved numerically insufficient.
The parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten now have a clear understanding of the value of the Dutch IpKo delegation's word. On Monday, following the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation, the delegation promised to address the democratic deficit.
Mercelina’s motion:
The House, having heard the deliberation,
Considering that it is essential for Curaçao to utilize its fiscal autonomy to build a treaty network that contributes to the economic development of the country;
Noting that the current process through the Dutch House of Representatives seems complex, as it is ultimately the parliament of the Netherlands and not that of Curaçao that decides on tax treaties;
Believing that Curaçao has sufficient capacity to independently negotiate in this area and that treaties that meet international standards should be encouraged;
Emphasizing that Curaçao currently has only one tax treaty, with Malta, which is dependent on ratification by the Netherlands, and that the aim is for similar treaties to be "silently" approved, given Curaçao's fiscal autonomy and ability to negotiate independently;
Requests the Kingdom Government, the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom (RMR), that for tax treaties negotiated by Curaçao that meet all international standards, before taking them into consideration and initiating questioning rounds for approval, in line with Curaçao's fiscal autonomy and negotiation capabilities, to consult with Curaçao to facilitate the ratification of Curaçao's tax treaties in an appropriate manner and without unnecessary obstacles, and proceeds to the order of the day.