In Curaçao, politics is not about ideas but about people. While in the Netherlands elections are won through debates, policy plans, and detailed calculations of political programs, combined with personal preferences, Curaçao's political game is different. Here, it's the "human factor" that matters most: Who knows whom, and more importantly, who can do what for me? As the elections approach on March 21, polls suggest that the outcome is already determined. MFK, the party founded by convicted former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte in 2010, is on track for a landslide victory. His political successor, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, is projected to receive an overwhelming 67% of the vote, an unprecedented result for Curaçao.
According to the Knowledge Center Curaçao and the University of the Dutch Caribbean, only 10% of voters choose based on party programs. The majority, however, make their decision based on feelings, loyalty, or personal promises. It’s not about the plans; it’s about the person presenting them.
Those curious to witness this phenomenon firsthand need look no further than MFK’s closing campaign event this evening. Delayed by a day due to rain, the Lindbergweg in Saliña has been transformed into a festival ground where beats, bands, and beer take center stage. The political note? A 15-minute speech from the party leader. Political scientist Gilbert Cijntje sums it up: "The Curaçaoan voter does not want policy plans but a leader who feels like family. It’s not about the island’s future but about the voter’s future. What do I get?"
And this strategy is working. In 2021, MFK won convincingly, and since then, the party has only grown. Among voters under 39, MFK nearly holds a monopoly, with 89% supporting Pisas and his party. Even in the 40-59 age group, MFK secures a comfortable 64%. According to researcher Cyrill van der Vegt of UDC, this success is largely due to visibility. “Other parties are stuck in outdated campaigning methods. MFK understands the power of social media and bombards the public with over ten posts daily. They tap into emotions, and that works.”
A single-party majority is rare in Curaçao, the last occurrence being in 1963 and 1967, when both governments collapsed due to internal conflicts. Cijntje questions whether MFK will actually secure a majority: “To do that, they would need more than 30,000 votes. Even if they succeed, there is a good chance that MPs will break away after the elections, and that majority will dissipate.”
Meanwhile, the opposition is in crisis. Parties like PAR and MAN, once political giants, are on track to secure a minimal number of seats or be wiped out entirely. Polls predict a record low of just 4% for PAR. The cause? A lack of recognizable leaders. “Ask an average voter to name three candidates from PAR’s list, and you might get one answer,” says Van der Vegt. “On the other hand, everyone knows the top three candidates from MFK.”
An intriguing figure within MFK is Javier Silvania, the eccentric Minister of Finance, often referred to as the 'Donald Trump' of Curaçao. His confrontational style, fiery statements, and his primary means of communication, Facebook, have made him a powerful figure. Facebook, immensely popular in Curaçao, allows him to reach his supporters directly, sidestepping traditional media. He can counter criticism by simply 'unfriending' opponents and spreading his message without filters.
Silvania’s popularity is immense, and he is poised to garner more votes than even Prime Minister Pisas. A recent poll shows that he enjoys 57% trust, making him the island’s most popular politician, well above Pisas’ 47%. This could become the first source of internal conflict within the party after the elections. Who will have the strongest voice—the Prime Minister or the man with the most support? The dynamic within MFK promises to be as fascinating in the years ahead as the election battle itself.
In a nation where elections are decided not by policies but by personal appeal, the 2025 elections are not only a contest for power but also for influence. The lines between leadership, loyalty, and charisma have never been clearer, and as the dust settles, Curaçao’s political future remains uncertain and exciting.
