GOVERNMENT
Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba has full autonomy on all internal affairs with the exception of defense, foreign affairs, and some judicial functions. The constitution was enacted in January 1986. Executive power rests with a governor while a prime minister heads an eight-member Cabinet. The governor is appointed for a 6-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister are elected by the Staten, or legislature, for 4-year terms. The Staten is made up of 21 members elected by direct, popular vote to serve 4-year terms. Aruba's 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 Aruba and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
In the parliamentary elections of September 23, 2005, the People’s Electoral Movement (MEP) gained 11 of the 21 seats available. Voter turnout had been 85%. MEP had also won the previous September 2001 elections with 12 seats, forming Aruba’s first one-party government. Despite losing one seat in the 2005 elections, the party retained a slim majority in Parliament. MEP’s biggest rival, the Aruba People’s Party (AVP) obtained 8 seats and remained the largest opposition party on the island.
Principal Government Officials
Governor—Fredis Jose Refunjol
Prime Minister—Nelson Oduber
Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Independence: Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Branches: Executive--monarch represented by a governor (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative--unicameral parliament. Judicial--Joint High Court of Justice appointed by the monarch.
Subdivisions: Aruba is divided into eight regions--Noord/Tank Leendert, Oranjestad (west), Oranjestad (east), Paradera, Santa Cruz, Savaneta, Sint Nicolaas (north), and Sint Nicolaas (south).
Political parties: Aruba Patriotic Movement (MPA), Aruban Socialist Movement (Aliansa), Aruban Liberal Party (OLA), Patriotic Party of Aruba (PPA), Aruban People's Party (AVP), Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba (CLA), People's Electoral Movement Party (MEP), Democratic Network (RED), Real Democracy, Workers Political Platform (PPT), Summum Bonum.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.
