Fredis Refunjol
Encyclopedia
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
.
Governor Refunjol was born in Aruba on December 19, 1950 and is married to Clarette Maria de Lourdes Refunjol-Lopez. Together they have two daughters (Cheryl and Zanette) and one son (Fredis). Refunjol received his Higher Elementary Education (MULO) diploma in 1968 and his Senior General Secondary Education (HAVO) diploma in 1973. Three years later, in 1973, he graduated from the Aruba Teacher-Training Academy and was certified as a teacher.
Upon graduation, he secured employment at the Heilig Hart College in Savaneta as a teacher. He taught for eight years before being promoted to Principal in 1981. Two years later, in 1983, Refunjol joined the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP). The next year he became the party's vice president, holding that position until 1987, when he was named as the party Secretary General (effective 1988).
While serving as party vice president, he stood as a candidate in Aruba's first parliamentary elections in 1986, where he was elected to the Estates of Aruba
. In 1989, he was the informateur (politician who investigates on behalf of the Crown whether a proposed cabinet formation will succeed) during both the formation of the first cabinet of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (Oduber I) and that of a second cabinet (Oduber II) formed in 1993. After the first cabinet was formed, he was named Minister of Welfare, serving until the MEP lost at the polls in 1994. During the Government of Henny Eman
(1994–2001), he reverted to his original role as a member of the Estates
. A seven year recession led to the resurgence of MEP in the 2001 elections, when Refunjol served as formateur for the third cabinet of Oduber (Oduber III). In Oduber III, he was named Minister of Education and Administrative Affairs, in addition to becoming Vice Prime Minister.
In 2004, the term of Governor Olindo Koolman
expired. As he had already served two terms, he was not reappointed by Her Majesty the Queen. Due to the extent of his government experience, Refunjol was appointed to the vacant post, assuming the office of Governor on May 1, 2004. When nominated, he enjoyed the unanimous support of the Aruban Parliament during deliberations on his candidacy. As a result of the nonpolitical nature of his office, he was required to resign from the MEP and from the Estates immediately upon taking office and is barred from political action until his service as Governor is complete.
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...
. Originally a teacher, he has served as a government official for the past twenty years, starting as a Member of the Estates of Aruba
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...
.
Governor Refunjol was born in Aruba on December 19, 1950 and is married to Clarette Maria de Lourdes Refunjol-Lopez. Together they have two daughters (Cheryl and Zanette) and one son (Fredis). Refunjol received his Higher Elementary Education (MULO) diploma in 1968 and his Senior General Secondary Education (HAVO) diploma in 1973. Three years later, in 1973, he graduated from the Aruba Teacher-Training Academy and was certified as a teacher.
Upon graduation, he secured employment at the Heilig Hart College in Savaneta as a teacher. He taught for eight years before being promoted to Principal in 1981. Two years later, in 1983, Refunjol joined the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP). The next year he became the party's vice president, holding that position until 1987, when he was named as the party Secretary General (effective 1988).
While serving as party vice president, he stood as a candidate in Aruba's first parliamentary elections in 1986, where he was elected to the Estates of Aruba
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...
. In 1989, he was the informateur (politician who investigates on behalf of the Crown whether a proposed cabinet formation will succeed) during both the formation of the first cabinet of Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (Oduber I) and that of a second cabinet (Oduber II) formed in 1993. After the first cabinet was formed, he was named Minister of Welfare, serving until the MEP lost at the polls in 1994. During the Government of 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"...
(1994–2001), he reverted to his original role as a member 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...
. A seven year recession led to the resurgence of MEP in the 2001 elections, when Refunjol served as formateur for the third cabinet of Oduber (Oduber III). In Oduber III, he was named Minister of Education and Administrative Affairs, in addition to becoming Vice Prime Minister.
In 2004, the term of Governor Olindo Koolman
Olindo Koolman
Olindo Koolman was the second Governor of Aruba and served two terms of six years as governor from 12 March 1992 until 11 May 2004.-References:...
expired. As he had already served two terms, he was not reappointed by Her Majesty the Queen. Due to the extent of his government experience, Refunjol was appointed to the vacant post, assuming the office of Governor on May 1, 2004. When nominated, he enjoyed the unanimous support of the Aruban Parliament during deliberations on his candidacy. As a result of the nonpolitical nature of his office, he was required to resign from the MEP and from the Estates immediately upon taking office and is barred from political action until his service as Governor is complete.
External links
- The Governor of Aruba Official Website (English)