Aruban general election, 2009
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Aruba
on 25 September 2009 to choose the 21 members of the Estates
(the parliament of Aruba). Aruba is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
and has full autonomy over its internal affairs with defence and foreign affairs overseen by the Dutch government. The elections were the seventh to be held for membership of the Estates since autonomy was granted by the Dutch in 1986.
system of election, with each party being allowed to place up to 29 people on their party list. The members are not elected to constituencies and represent the entire electorate. The party or coalition which wins a majority will select a Prime Minister
. Prior to this election the People's Electoral Movement
(MEP) were the governing party, holding eleven seats. The main opposition Aruban People's Party
(AVP) held eight with the Network of Electoral Democracy and the Aruban Patriotic Movement
holding a seat apiece.
Eight political parties contested the election and there were 64,600 eligible voters. Pre-election polls showed the Aruban People's Party were expected to win, campaigning to reduce inflation and abolish a tax on local business. The AVP also pledged to address concerns over the island's oil refinery
operated by Valero Energy, which has been closed since mid-July and provided jobs for around one thousand people, and a recent decline in tourists visiting the island. The People's Electoral Movement pledged to diversify the economy and reduce debt and living costs.
The political parties of Aruba were represented by specific colors during the campaign. For example, the winning Aruban People's Party
(AVP) is known as the "green party," the Movimiento Electorial di Pueblo
(MEP) is the "yellow party" and the independent Real Democracy Party
is identified as the "red party."
A turnout of 85% was recorded for the election which proceeded without disruption. Governor
Fredis Refunjol
and his wife, Clarette, voted at the Sacred Heart School in Savaneta early Friday morning and urged all Arubans to vote as well. Incumbent Prime Minister Nelson Oduber and his wife, Glenda, cast their ballots at the EPB School in Hato, on the edge of Oranjestad
. AVP leader Mike Eman voted in the afternoon at the Colegio Arubano
, a junior-senior high school, with his wife, Doina, and his brother, Henny Eman
, who was Aruba's first Prime Minister. Doina Eman, who is originally from the United States
, had recently acquired her Dutch passport and this was the first Aruban election in which she was eligible to vote.
Polls closed in Aruba at 7:00 pm local time. Early results began filtering in approximately 8:30 pm. The first results reported in were from the Noord District, which showed a marked support for the AVP. Twelve election precincts in Oranjestad, the capital, were also won by the AVP early in the evening. The AVP, which is identified by the color green, also won eight polling stations in San Nicolas
, the site of the recently closed Valero Energy oil refinery
.
Support declined for Nelson Obuder's MEP party across the island. The MEP, which is known as the "yellow party", captured its traditional stronghold of Santa Cruz
, as well as precincts in portions of Savaneta and Paradera. Support for the MEP ultimately dropped from eleven to eight seats in the Estates. Nelson's MEP party received a total of 19,812 votes nationwide, which was 6,673 votes less than the winning AVP.
The AVP, led by Mike Eman, claimed 48% of the vote and twelve seats in the Estates, making Eman the 5th Prime Minister-Elect of Aruba with an absolute majority of three seats in the 21-seat House. The MEP won 36% of the vote and eight seats, with the final seat being won by the Real Democracy Party
. This meant that Nelson Oduber, the demissionary Prime Minister of Aruba, had lost control of the Estates for the first time in eight years. Eman arrived at the AVP party headquarters in Oranjestad, where he was greeted by approximately 2,000 supporters dressed in green, the color of the AVP. The victory was marked by AVP supporters letting off fireworks and unfurling flags in the green livery of the party. In his speech, Eman thanked Aruba's Latino
and Haitian communities. The winning party of an Aruban election traditionally celebrates with a parade following the election.
Oduber blamed the MEP's defeat on Dutch interference in Aruba's affairs, in particular referring to a recent announcement that the Dutch authorities would commence an investigation into corruption
on the island. Oduber also singled out Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse
, accusing him of taking sides in the election against the MEP by closing the refinery shortly before the election took place. In a speech carried only on Aruban Channel 22, Oduber did not congratulate the winning AVP. Instead, he said that the AVP should work to fulfill its "unreal promise" to Arubans.
In some respects, the 2009 election mirrored the 1985 election. In 1985, the oil refinery in San Nicholas had also closed down shortly before the election, costing the ruling party seats in the Estates.
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
on 25 September 2009 to choose the 21 members of the Estates
Estates of Aruba
The Estates of Aruba are the unicameral legislature or parliament of Aruba. The Estates have 21 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation. Each member holds their seats until Parliament is dissolved which is every four years by a general election...
(the parliament of Aruba). Aruba is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
and has full autonomy over its internal affairs with defence and foreign affairs overseen by the Dutch government. The elections were the seventh to be held for membership of the Estates since autonomy was granted by the Dutch in 1986.
Election background
The Estates are the 21 seat legislature of Aruba and members are elected for four year terms using a proportional representationProportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
system of election, with each party being allowed to place up to 29 people on their party list. The members are not elected to constituencies and represent the entire electorate. The party or coalition which wins a majority will select a Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Aruba
The Prime Minister of Aruba is Aruba's head of government. Together with Aruba's Council of Ministers, they form the executive branch of Aruban government.-List of Prime Ministers of Aruba:...
. Prior to this election the People's Electoral Movement
People's Electoral Movement (Aruba)
The People's Electoral Movement is a social democratic political party in Aruba.At the last elections for the Estates, 28 September 2001, the party won 52.4 % of popular votes and 12 out of 21 seats. 23 September 2005, the party won 43 % of the popular vote and 11 out of 21 seats and remained, led...
(MEP) were the governing party, holding eleven seats. The main opposition Aruban People's Party
Aruban People's Party
The Aruban People's Party is a Christian democrat political party in Aruba. AVP is an acronym for the Dutch name of the party....
(AVP) held eight with the Network of Electoral Democracy and the Aruban Patriotic Movement
Aruban Patriotic Movement
The Aruban Patriot Movement is a political party in Aruba, formed by dissidents of the Aruban Patriotic Party....
holding a seat apiece.
Eight political parties contested the election and there were 64,600 eligible voters. Pre-election polls showed the Aruban People's Party were expected to win, campaigning to reduce inflation and abolish a tax on local business. The AVP also pledged to address concerns over the island's oil refinery
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
operated by Valero Energy, which has been closed since mid-July and provided jobs for around one thousand people, and a recent decline in tourists visiting the island. The People's Electoral Movement pledged to diversify the economy and reduce debt and living costs.
The political parties of Aruba were represented by specific colors during the campaign. For example, the winning Aruban People's Party
Aruban People's Party
The Aruban People's Party is a Christian democrat political party in Aruba. AVP is an acronym for the Dutch name of the party....
(AVP) is known as the "green party," the Movimiento Electorial di Pueblo
People's Electoral Movement (Aruba)
The People's Electoral Movement is a social democratic political party in Aruba.At the last elections for the Estates, 28 September 2001, the party won 52.4 % of popular votes and 12 out of 21 seats. 23 September 2005, the party won 43 % of the popular vote and 11 out of 21 seats and remained, led...
(MEP) is the "yellow party" and the independent Real Democracy Party
Real Democracy Party (Aruba)
Real Democracy is a political party in Aruba.- Election history :In the 2005 elections for the Estates on 23 September 2005, the party won 6% of the popular vote, but failed to win a seat....
is identified as the "red party."
Election
Eight separate political parties and 167 individual candidates contested the election for seats in the Estates. The Aruban Director of the Register of Population and electoral council member Sharline Luidens forbade the press from taking photos inside polling stations during the election.A turnout of 85% was recorded for the election which proceeded without disruption. Governor
Governor of Aruba
The Governor of Aruba is the representative on Aruba of the Dutch head of state . The governors duties are twofold: he represents and guards the general interests of the Kingdom and is head of the Aruban Government. He is accountable to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As the head...
Fredis Refunjol
Fredis Refunjol
Fredis Jose Refunjol is an Aruban politician serving as the current Governor of Aruba. Originally a teacher, he has served as a government official for the past twenty years, starting as a Member of the Estates of Aruba....
and his wife, Clarette, voted at the Sacred Heart School in Savaneta early Friday morning and urged all Arubans to vote as well. Incumbent Prime Minister Nelson Oduber and his wife, Glenda, cast their ballots at the EPB School in Hato, on the edge of Oranjestad
Oranjestad, Aruba
Oranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, which is in the Caribbean north of Venezuela. Oranjestad is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country...
. AVP leader Mike Eman voted in the afternoon at the Colegio Arubano
Colegio Arubano
Colegio Arubano is a junior senior high school in the Dutch Caribbean colony of Aruba that serves students in grades seven through twelve from one of its two campuses...
, a junior-senior high school, with his wife, Doina, and his brother, Henny Eman
Henny Eman
Jan Hendrik Albert "Henny" Eman was the first Prime Minister of Aruba from 1 January 1986 to 9 February 1989 and again from 29 July 1994 to 30 October 2001.- Introduction :thumb|left| Memorial stone at Leiden cafe "Het Keizertje"...
, who was Aruba's first Prime Minister. Doina Eman, who is originally from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, had recently acquired her Dutch passport and this was the first Aruban election in which she was eligible to vote.
Polls closed in Aruba at 7:00 pm local time. Early results began filtering in approximately 8:30 pm. The first results reported in were from the Noord District, which showed a marked support for the AVP. Twelve election precincts in Oranjestad, the capital, were also won by the AVP early in the evening. The AVP, which is identified by the color green, also won eight polling stations in San Nicolas
San Nicolas, Aruba
San Nicolaas is southeast of Oranjestad, and is Aruba's second largest city. As of 2008 it has a population of 18,126, most who originate from the British Caribbean. Known as the island's Sunrise Side, San Nicolaas was once a bustling company town, when Lago Oil and Transport operated its oil...
, the site of the recently closed Valero Energy oil refinery
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
.
Support declined for Nelson Obuder's MEP party across the island. The MEP, which is known as the "yellow party", captured its traditional stronghold of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, Aruba
Santa Cruz is a big town in central Aruba. The town is connected by Highway 7 from west to east and Highway 4 from north to south....
, as well as precincts in portions of Savaneta and Paradera. Support for the MEP ultimately dropped from eleven to eight seats in the Estates. Nelson's MEP party received a total of 19,812 votes nationwide, which was 6,673 votes less than the winning AVP.
The AVP, led by Mike Eman, claimed 48% of the vote and twelve seats in the Estates, making Eman the 5th Prime Minister-Elect of Aruba with an absolute majority of three seats in the 21-seat House. The MEP won 36% of the vote and eight seats, with the final seat being won by the Real Democracy Party
Real Democracy Party (Aruba)
Real Democracy is a political party in Aruba.- Election history :In the 2005 elections for the Estates on 23 September 2005, the party won 6% of the popular vote, but failed to win a seat....
. This meant that Nelson Oduber, the demissionary Prime Minister of Aruba, had lost control of the Estates for the first time in eight years. Eman arrived at the AVP party headquarters in Oranjestad, where he was greeted by approximately 2,000 supporters dressed in green, the color of the AVP. The victory was marked by AVP supporters letting off fireworks and unfurling flags in the green livery of the party. In his speech, Eman thanked Aruba's Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
and Haitian communities. The winning party of an Aruban election traditionally celebrates with a parade following the election.
Oduber blamed the MEP's defeat on Dutch interference in Aruba's affairs, in particular referring to a recent announcement that the Dutch authorities would commence an investigation into corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
on the island. Oduber also singled out Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse
William R. Klesse
William "Bill" R. Klesse is CEO and President of Valero Energy Corporation and Chairman of the Valero Board of Directors. He previously held positions with Valero as Vice Chairman of the Board, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer...
, accusing him of taking sides in the election against the MEP by closing the refinery shortly before the election took place. In a speech carried only on Aruban Channel 22, Oduber did not congratulate the winning AVP. Instead, he said that the AVP should work to fulfill its "unreal promise" to Arubans.
In some respects, the 2009 election mirrored the 1985 election. In 1985, the oil refinery in San Nicholas had also closed down shortly before the election, costing the ruling party seats in the Estates.