The Advisory Division of the Council of State advocating for more equality within the Dutch kingdom (see Thursday newspaper) should not go unnoticed. That they did so on their own initiative only adds to the significance.
It is often argued that true equality cannot exist in what many still consider a – for all practical purposes – colonial relationship. Besides, the vast difference in territorial and population size as well as and economic strength between the Netherlands and three Dutch Caribbean countries will never permit such.
However, that does not exclude Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten being given at least a greater measure of influence. One way to achieve this would be by allowing citizens on the islands to vote for the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament in The Hague.
A second suggestion was to increase their representation in the Kingdom Council of Ministers. They currently have one plenipotentiary minister each, compared to almost the entire Dutch Cabinet.
So, there are things that may help improve the 70-year-old Kingdom Charter’s balance, without necessarily making fundamental changes. Introducing a long-discussed Dispute Regulation is another example.
Reducing the democratic deficit in this manner could prove in the long-term best interest of the kingdom itself, by addressing some of the most pressing concerns over existing relations among the – officially – former colonies. Until they are ready for full political independence, these proposed adjustments might realistically be the maximum attainable result.
