WILLEMSTAD--The management style of Curaçao’s Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague Marvelyne Wiels (PS) is not the best, but her integrity is not in question. Independent (former PAR) parliamentarian Glenn Sulvaran in this way summed up the prevailing sentiment within the PS/PAIS/PNP/Sulvaran coalition during the public debate on the report of former Ombudsman Alba Martijn regarding the minister's functioning.
According to Martijn, Wiels was guilty of improper behaviour at the Curaçao House.
The opposition members feel she is not a good representative of Curaçao in the Netherlands.
Despite their loud protests during the debate, points 2 and 3 on the meeting's agenda were merged. Both were about the report on the policies and actions of the minister, but the MFK-fraction wanted to include the verdict of the lawsuit that was filed by Wiels, while that of "Pueblo Soberano" has asked for an explanation from Prime Minister Ivar Asjes (PS), who is politically responsible for Wiels.
The latter was achieved by handling the two items together. Independent (former PAR) parliamentarian Omayra Leeflang left the room because she felt Asjes had already been afforded ample opportunity to give his rebuttal to the report in the legislature.
PS-fraction member Wini Raveneau said that there was nothing in the report worthy of debate. Her party colleague said it was not even worth mentioning and based on gossip, jealousy and quarrels.
However, coalition partner PAIS' Marilyn Moses symbolically issued a "yellow card" to both Wiels and Asjes for the way they dealt with the problems within the Curaçao House. The report by the Ombudsman reveals a few points that need to be addressed, she said.
According PAR-leader Zita Jesus-Leito there never has been anyone who survived after being the subject of so much discussion. "What’s on the table right now is that a worthy representation of Curaçao in the Netherlands is not guaranteed," she said.
At the end of the debate two motions were filed by the opposition parties to replace Wiels. Both of these motions did not make it past the vote.
