WILLEMSTAD - The debate on the first supplementary budget for 2025 has sparked broad criticism in Parliament, as multiple factions question how the government is balancing the budget and whether its chosen priorities truly address the island’s pressing needs.
According to the official report released earlier, factions raised fundamental concerns about the financial strategy behind the revised budget, especially the government’s continued reliance on temporary fixes instead of structural solutions.
CMC Funding Again at the Center of Concern
A major point of contention is the ongoing financial pressure on the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC). Several MPs note that the hospital has been structurally underfunded for years, while the government continues to rely on one-time interventions to keep the healthcare system afloat.
Parliamentarians are pressing the government to explain why there is still no comprehensive plan to stabilize healthcare costs and address CMC’s acute financial problems in a sustainable manner.
Offshore Wind Project Scrapped, Funds Redirected to Undersea Cable
MPs also expressed confusion and frustration over the sudden removal of the floating offshore wind energy project. The 29 million guilders previously allocated for this key renewable energy initiative are now being redirected toward the construction of the new international undersea cable.
Several factions are demanding clarity on what this shift means for Curaçao’s energy transition, and why the government waited so long to explain the decision.
Uncertainty Surrounds Multiple Budget Categories
Beyond healthcare and energy, MPs highlighted significant gaps in information regarding several major budget items. Factions are urging the government to provide more transparency about:
School renovation plans
Funding for culture and sports
Resources allocated to crime-fighting initiatives
Progress on major investment projects
According to several parties, the government’s explanations fall short, offering too little insight into the actual implementation of policy.
“Shifting Money, Delaying Projects”
Overall, Parliament concludes that the budget has been made “balanced” primarily by shuffling funds, postponing projects, and downgrading allocations. As a result, it remains unclear how stable the financial foundation of government departments and essential sectors truly is.
Factions warn that without structural reforms and clearer long-term planning, the government risks creating a budget that is technically balanced on paper, but far from sustainable in practice.