WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister and MFK political leader Gilmar Pisas has publicly criticized former Finance Minister and current MFK Member of Parliament Javier Silvania, accusing him of acting "dualistically" within the governing party by repeatedly questioning government policies instead of first addressing concerns internally.
Speaking in a recent interview, Pisas said he respects Silvania's abilities and character but believes the parliamentarian's approach has created unnecessary tension within the party.
Silvania and Pisas in good times
"I know Javier Silvania. He has his own character and personality," Pisas said. "But if you are part of the same movement and have concerns, you should first discuss them internally before taking them into the public arena."
The prime minister's comments come after Silvania has submitted a series of parliamentary questions on issues including the implementation of the Bion Law, financial problems within the police force, subsidies for elderly care home Nos Welita, and other government policies.
"He is a member of Parliament"
Pisas acknowledged that Silvania, as a Member of Parliament, has every constitutional right to question ministers and hold the government accountable.
"He is a member of Parliament, and Parliament has the responsibility to control the government," Pisas said.
However, he argued that when those questions concern a government led by the same political party, they should first be discussed within MFK.
According to Pisas, repeatedly raising internal issues publicly without prior consultation creates the impression of division within the party.
He described that behavior as "dualistic," suggesting that Silvania is acting simultaneously as a member of the governing party while publicly confronting its own ministers.
Internal discussion first
The prime minister said MFK has internal structures where concerns can be raised before becoming public debate.
"If there is a problem, come and discuss it with me first," Pisas said, adding that party members should use internal channels before creating political controversy.
He stressed that differences of opinion are normal within any political movement but said those disagreements should be handled in a manner that strengthens rather than weakens the party.
Defends parliamentary oversight
At the same time, Pisas emphasized that he does not oppose parliamentary scrutiny of his government.
He said ministers are expected to answer parliamentary questions regardless of who submits them.
"There is nothing wrong with ministers being questioned," he said. "That is part of democracy."
However, he believes there is a distinction between fulfilling Parliament's oversight role and unnecessarily creating public conflict within the governing party.
Government performance
During the interview, Pisas also defended his administration's performance, arguing that many of the issues now being questioned are already receiving attention from the government.
Referring to concerns raised about Curaçao Medical Center and other public institutions, the prime minister said ministers are actively working on solutions and that government should be judged on its overall performance rather than on isolated issues.
Growing public differences
The interview marks one of the clearest public acknowledgments of differing views within MFK since the party secured another strong electoral victory.
Silvania has become increasingly active in submitting parliamentary questions to ministers on a range of issues, including police overtime tax exemptions, financial assistance for indebted police officers, government subsidies, and public administration.
While those actions fall within Parliament's oversight responsibilities, Pisas indicated that he believes such matters should first be addressed through the party's internal decision-making process before becoming matters of public political debate.
The comments highlight a growing tension between maintaining party unity and exercising independent parliamentary oversight within Curaçao's governing party.