The suggestion by Democratic Party (DP) member Koos Sneek for a transition period in St. Eustatius (see Wednesday paper) deserves serious consideration. While it seems clear that the Dutch government’s trust in the local political establishment has not yet reached a level where the higher supervision will soon be lifted, postponing next year’s Island Council elections isn’t exactly a desirable scenario either
For one thing, the latter would also jeopardise the island’s first-ever participation in a vote for the First Chamber of Parliament (Senate) in the Netherlands. Moreover, keeping people from exercising the basic right to freely choose their representatives should in principle always be limited as much as possible for obvious reasons.
Of course, plans to adapt the Temporary Law Task Neglect are still to be negotiated but may offer some prospects for a smooth return to normalcy in the public entity’s day-to- day governing. The newly elected legislature to take office in 2019 would function alongside the Government Commissioner appointed by The Hague for now.
The idea apparently has some backing already among key figures in the Dutch Second Chamber. There too the current situation in Statia is experienced as rather uncomfortable, with persistent accusations of neo-colonialism being made against the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, most politicians in the Hague remain convinced the direct intervention was necessary due to the worrying circumstances on the island. Sneek’s proposal may be a way to both reassure them about the immediate future and open the door to at least gradually restoring local democracy.
