THE HAGUE – The Dutch governing party VVD is questioning whether the Netherlands should continue providing financial support for Curaçao's government reforms following revelations of alleged integrity problems within the island's tax collection administration.
VVD Member of Parliament Nicole Maes has raised the issue in written questions to State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg, directly linking the findings of government auditor Stichting Overheidsaccountantsbureau (SOAB) to ongoing negotiations over extending the Landspakket reform agreement.
Nicole Maes (photo credit: Dutch Parliament)
The intervention comes at a critical moment for Curaçao, which must decide whether to continue its reform partnership with the Netherlands beyond April 2027.
Under the proposed extension, Curaçao could receive approximately XCG 16 million in additional Dutch financial support, subject to agreed conditions, while continuing selected reforms until April 2029.
Maes is questioning whether Dutch taxpayers should continue financing reform efforts while serious concerns remain about the management and collection of public revenues in Curaçao.
"Isn't it at least strange that we provide money while the administration handles tax revenues in this manner?" Maes asked in her parliamentary questions.
The VVD wants to know what mechanisms are available within the existing Landspakket framework to hold Curaçao's government accountable and ensure that agreed reforms produce measurable results.
The controversy follows SOAB investigations into the Landsontvanger, where auditors identified concerns about the personal involvement of the former head of the tax collection office in collection procedures and special arrangements.
Maes also referred to earlier warnings from the College financieel toezicht (Cft), which had raised concerns about structural weaknesses at the Landsontvanger and insufficient information about progress on an improvement plan dating from April 2025.
She wants the Dutch government to explain why these warnings did not lead to more effective corrective measures and whether the latest findings will influence future reform cooperation.
The Landspakket was established to support structural reforms in Curaçao, including improvements in public finances, government administration and economic development.
The Netherlands provides financial and technical assistance through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO), while Curaçao remains responsible for implementing the agreed measures.
However, progress has not been uniform.
Recent implementation reports indicate that an SOAB review of five government-owned companies experienced additional delays because two companies failed to provide required information on time.
These difficulties have added to concerns about the pace and effectiveness of reforms.
The debate is particularly significant because Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has already raised questions about whether Curaçao should accept the Dutch proposal or continue the remaining reforms independently.
The current agreement expires on April 4, 2027. Under the Dutch proposal, cooperation would continue until April 2029, with additional financial support available under specified conditions.
Curaçao has until November 30, 2026, to respond to the offer, and parliamentary approval is required for an extension.
If the government rejects the proposal, the existing arrangement will expire, and Curaçao will have to determine how to finance and implement its remaining reforms. Existing subsidy agreements for projects already underway may continue under their established conditions.
Van der Burg visited Curaçao earlier in October and held discussions with Prime Minister Pisas and the Council of Ministers. He also met with representatives of the Cft during his visit.
However, the VVD now wants to know whether the Dutch government has held additional discussions with Curaçao and the financial supervisory authorities specifically about the SOAB findings.
Maes' questions do not amount to a formal decision to suspend Dutch assistance. They place political pressure on the government in The Hague to explain how financial support, integrity safeguards and accountability will be addressed before any extension is finalized.
With Curaçao approaching the November 30 deadline, the controversy adds a new dimension to an already sensitive debate about the island's financial management, administrative independence and future cooperation with the Netherlands.