Politics of the Netherlands Antilles

The politics of the Netherlands Antilles, a former constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, existed in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic country, in which the prime minister was the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power was exercised by the government. Federal legislative power was vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary was independent of the executive and the legislature. The Netherlands Antilles had full autonomy on most matters. Exceptions were defence, foreign affairs, and the Supreme Court.

Netherlands Antilles
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Netherlands Antilles

Executive power rested with a governor, and a prime minister headed an eight-member Cabinet. The governor was appointed for a six-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister were elected by the Staten for four-year terms. The legislature or Staten elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms.

The judicial system, which had mainly been derived from the Dutch system, operated independently of the legislature and the executive. Jurisdiction, including appeal, lied with the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands Antilles were disbanded on 10 October 2010.[1]

Executive branch
Main office holders
Office Name Party Since Until
Monarch Beatrix 30 April 1980 10 October 2010
Governor Frits Goedgedrag 1 July 2002 10 October 2010
Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage PAR 26 March 2006 10 October 2010

The Governor was appointed by the monarch for a six-year term.
The Council of Ministers was elected by the Staten.

Legislative branch

Unicameral Estates of the Netherlands Antilles (22 seats; members were elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Political parties and elections
For other political parties, see List of political parties in the Netherlands Antilles. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in the Netherlands Antilles.

Political parties were indigenous to each island.

 Summary of the 22 January 2010 Estates of the Netherlands Antilles election results
Parties Island Votes % Seats +/–
Party for the Restructured Antilles (Partido Antiá Restrukturá) Curaçao 26,641 6 +1
List of Change (Lista di Kambio) Curaçao 23,552 5 —
Sovereign People (Pueblo Soberano) Curaçao 10,789 2 +2
National People's Party (Partido Nashonal di Pueblo) Curaçao 6,494 1 –1
Party Workers' Liberation Front 30th of May (Partido Frente Obrero Liberashon 30 Di Mei) Curaçao 4,373 0 –2
Democratic Party (Democratische Partij) Curaçao 1,815 0 —
Party for an Emancipated People (Partido un Pueblo Emansipa) Curaçao 311 0 —
Movement Opposing Isla Refinery (Movementu Solushon Isla) Curaçao 195 0 —
National Alliance Sint Maarten 6,939 3 +1
Democratic Party Sint Maarten (Democratische Partij Sint Maarten) Sint Maarten 3,560 0 –1
People's Progressive Alliance Sint Maarten 916 0 —
Bonaire Patriotic Union (Union Patriotico Bonairano) Bonaire 3,673 2 —
Bonaire Democratic Party (Partido Democratico Bonairano) Bonaire 2,720 1 —
List of Change (Lista di Kambio) Bonaire 1,126 0 —
Democratic Party Sint Eustatius (Democratische Partij Sint Eustatius) Sint Eustatius 602 1 —
Progressive Labour Party Sint Eustatius 341 0 —
Windwards Islands People's Movement Saba 393 1 —
Total     22 —
Sources: Amigoe Bonaire Reporter St. Maarten Island Time

Judicial branch

Joint High Court of Justice, judges appointed by the monarch

Administrative divisions

The Antilles were divided into five insular territories: Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles were disbanded.

Reform
Main article: Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO (associate)

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References
  1. "End of the road for Dutch Antilles < Dutch news". Expatica The Netherlands. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
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