WILLEMSTAD - The leadership of Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) has issued a press release addressing recent statements made by Sheldry Osepa, a parliamentarian from coalition partner PNP, in the media. These remarks touched on a protocol that was to be signed between MFK and the National People's Party (PNP), as well as a preparatory meeting ahead of the August 19th Central Committee session. Osepa also claimed that MFK is an unreliable coalition partner.
In response, the MFK leadership clarified these issues, asserting that Osepa is misinforming the public.
The Protocol
During a meeting between the leadership of MFK and PNP, one of the key topics discussed was the conduct of parliamentarians Osepa and Mercelina. It was Faroe Metry, a PNP leadership member, who proposed the idea of signing the protocol that Osepa referenced in his statements. Metry even presented a protocol that had been signed during a previous administration.
The MFK leadership explained that they requested a copy of the protocol from Metry and informed the PNP leadership that they would review it and translate it into Papiamentu. After the review, the protocol was exchanged with PNP leadership for their remarks and feedback. Following this process, both MFK and PNP leadership agreed on the final version of the protocol.
The claim by Osepa that MFK wanted him to sign the protocol to silence him in Parliament is completely false. It was actually his own party, PNP, that presented the protocol as a potential solution to manage the behavior of Osepa and Mercelina in Parliament.
Preparation Meeting
Following the Council of Ministers meeting on August 14th, ministers from the Pisas II Cabinet remained to discuss other issues. During this time, the Prime Minister informed the group that Minister Javier Silvania had held a preparatory meeting with the MFK faction in anticipation of the August 19th parliamentary session. The Prime Minister then asked the political leader of PNP if his faction also needed to receive the same briefing.
According to MFK, Larmonie-Cecilia, the PNP political leader, requested time to consult with her faction. The next day, on August 15th, Larmonie-Cecilia informed Minister van Heydoorn that the PNP faction was in agreement to receive the technical briefing. With her approval, a meeting was organized between Minister Silvania and the PNP faction. However, Osepa and Mercelina declined to attend, despite the fact that their political leader had given the green light for the meeting.
In light of Osepa's accusations that MFK was behind the two proposals, MFK leadership noted that it seems there are two "loose cannons" in Parliament. They suggested that PNP leadership appears unable to control Osepa and Mercelina, or that there is a communication breakdown within the party.
Accusations of Being ‘Untrustworthy’
Finally, MFK addressed Osepa and Mercelina's claims that MFK is an unreliable partner. The MFK leadership emphasized that if the two parliamentarians truly believe this, they do not need to voice it in the press. Instead, they have the tools at their disposal to act on their concerns if they no longer wish to be in a partnership with a party they do not trust.
MFK says it remains open to any decisions Osepa and Mercelina choose to make.