As Curaçao heads into another election cycle, one thing is clear: the political landscape is shifting, and internal power struggles within the leading parties could have a significant impact on the formation of the next government. At first glance, the ruling MFK party appears poised to maintain its dominance, but a deeper look reveals potential internal fractures that could reshape the party's leadership and coalition strategies.
Javier Silvania and Gilmar Pisas
MFK, currently led by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, has strong backing, yet he is not the party's most popular figure. That title belongs to Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, whose influence has grown tremendously in recent years. This dynamic sets the stage for a potential power struggle within MFK, one that will ultimately need to be settled by the alleged party’s owner and founder, the convicted former politician Gerrit Schotte. The extent of Schotte’s involvement in MFK’s leadership decisions remains uncertain, but his influence cannot be underestimated.
Adding to the complexity, MFK is unlikely to secure an outright majority, meaning they will need to form a coalition. Their former coalition partner, PNP, was ousted by MFK, yet there are signals that a renewed partnership is not entirely off the table. PNP leader Ruthmilda Larmonie has expressed a willingness to negotiate a new coalition agreement with MFK. However, not all members of her party agree. Some factions within PNP are lobbying against rejoining MFK, while others have reportedly discussed the possibility of breaking ranks and supporting MFK individually if the party decides against a formal alliance.
PNP faces its own leadership dilemma. Much like MFK, their leader is not the most popular politician within the party. That distinction belongs to former Minister of Economy Ruisandro Cijntje, who enjoys broad support. This discrepancy could lead to internal divisions within PNP, further complicating their ability to negotiate effectively with potential coalition partners.
As these internal tensions unfold, the upcoming elections promise to be not just a battle between parties but also a test of leadership within them. The final results will determine whether MFK can maintain its grip on power and how PNP navigates its own internal divisions. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Curaçao’s political landscape is more volatile than ever.
This is our first editorial on the upcoming elections. Stay tuned for our next piece, where we will analyze the roles of other major players, including MAN/PIN and PAR, and how their positions might influence the formation of Curaçao’s next government.
