WILLEMSTAD – The board of the Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) has called for calm and patience following the definitive withdrawal of Member of Parliament Ruisandro Cijntje from the party’s leadership race, saying it will continue deliberations before deciding how the internal election process should proceed.
In an official update on the PNP’s 2026–2028 leadership process, the party said its board convened urgently on Tuesday after receiving Cijntje’s formal letter withdrawing his candidacy for political leader.
Cijntje, a former Minister of Economic Development and current PNP parliamentarian, announced his withdrawal amid tensions surrounding the internal leadership contest. His departure leaves Dayanara Chin-A-Lien-Roozendaal as the only remaining candidate in the race.
The PNP board did not immediately declare Chin-A-Lien-Roozendaal the new political leader or indicate whether the leadership election scheduled for November 1 will proceed as originally planned.
Instead, the party said further deliberations are necessary before a decision is made.
The newly installed board said it is treating the development as a priority. It noted that it had already met Monday with the Impact Committee to discuss other matters that had arisen concerning the internal election process.
The party is now asking members for patience and space while the board develops a collective position that can subsequently be discussed with the membership.
According to the statement, the objective is to reach a careful decision that restores and guarantees calm and stability within the PNP.
The latest development comes during a period of visible internal tension surrounding the leadership contest. Cijntje indicated when withdrawing that several situations he considered hostile within the party contributed to his decision, although he will remain a PNP member.
His withdrawal fundamentally changes what had been expected to be a contested leadership election.
The PNP board has not indicated whether another candidate could enter the race, whether Chin-A-Lien-Roozendaal will be confirmed without a contested election, or whether changes will be made to the existing timetable.
The party concluded its statement with an appeal to members to move forward with “order, decency and discipline” as discussions continue.
Further clarification is now expected from the PNP leadership on the status of the November 1 election and the procedure that will be followed after Cijntje’s withdrawal.