Politics of the Netherlands Antilles

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Netherlands Antilles

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
the Netherlands Antilles



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Politics of the Netherlands Antilles, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic country, whereby the prime minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Netherlands Antilles have full autonomy on most matters. Exceptions are defence, foreign affairs, and the Supreme Court. Executive power rests with a governor, and a prime minister heads an eight-member Cabinet. The governor general is appointed for a six-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister are 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 has mainly been derived from the Dutch system, operates independently of the legislature and the executive. Jurisdiction, including appeal, lies with the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

Contents

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
Queen Beatrix 30 April 1980
Governor General Frits Goedgedrag 1 July 2002
Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage PAR 26 March 2006

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

[edit] Legislative branch

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

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the 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 are indigenous to each island.

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 27 January 2006 Estates of the Netherlands Antilles election results
Parties Island Votes % Seats
Party for the Restructured Antilles (Partido Antiá Restrukturá) Curaçao 18,187 20.85 5
New Antilles Movement (Movishon Antia Nobo) Curaçao 13,123 15.05 3
Party Workers' Liberation Front 30th of May (Partido Frente Obrero Liberashon 30 Di Mei) Curaçao 9,582 10.99 2
National People's Party (Partido Nashonal di Pueblo) Curaçao 7,765 8.91 2
Forsa Kòrsou Curaçao 6,658 7.64 2
Labour Party People's Crusade (Partido Laboral krusado Popular) Curaçao 4,390 5.03 0
National Alliance Sint Maarten 4,301 4.93 2
Democratic Party Sint Maarten (Democratische Partij Sint Maarten) Sint Maarten 4,122 4.73 1
LPNA Curaçao 3,851 4.42 0
Bonaire Patriotic Union (Union Patriotico Bonairano) Bonaire 3,678 4.22 2
Sovereign People (Pueblo Soberano) Curaçao 3,360 3.85 0
BSP-Paboso-ON
Bonaire 2,947 3.38 1
Democratic Party (Democratische Partij) Curaçao 2,638 3.03 0
People's Progressive Alliance Sint Maarten 1,712 1.96 0
Democratic Party Sint Eustatius (Democratische Partij Sint Eustatius) Sint Eustatius 0.5 1
Windwards Islands People's Movement Saba 0.5 1
Total     22
Source: E-politika

[edit] Judicial branch

Joint High Court of Justice, judges appointed by the monarch
note:

[edit] Administrative divisions

The Antilles are divided in five insular territories: Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba,Sint Eustatius.

[edit] International organization participation

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