The people of the Netherlands Antilles go to the polls today to elect a new parliament. It is the final ballot before the Antilles ceases to exist as a political entity on 10 October.
From that date, the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Sint Maarten will become autonomous territories within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become special municipalities of the Netherlands.
The opposition, which is doing well in the polls, is critical of the conditions underpinning the new political structure for the former Dutch colonies.
The Netherlands has agreed to take on debts of 1.7 billion euros from the Antilles provided that the islands do more to tackle corruption. However, it has also warned that the deal will not go ahead if the Antillean government wants to renegotiate the deal after the elections.
Polling station on Curaçao (photo: ANP)
Email this Article
Printer-friendly version
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.