The MEP faction requested a legal opinion from Dutch constitutional expert Professor Elzinga, emeritus professor at the University of Groningen, regarding the Kingdom Consensus Law (HOFA).
Professor Elzinga reached three key conclusions in his report:
- The law violates Aruba’s Constitution, as it includes an article stating that even if Aruba’s Parliament proposes a change, the Dutch government must first approve it before it can be implemented. This undermines the Parliament’s budgetary and amendment rights, which are non-negotiable.
- The HOFA law weakens Aruba’s autonomy and gives the Netherlands excessive control over the island.
- The law is unnecessary, as Aruba’s current legislation and financial management are already on the right track, and within less than five years, the country is expected to reach an acceptable debt level.
Professor Elzinga also commented on the document signed in 2024 by the Wever-Croes Cabinet, which the current government interprets as binding Aruba. He clarified that the 2024 signing was merely a statement of intent, not a final agreement, and therefore does not bind any government or Parliament.
Based on this legal opinion, the MEP faction met with union and business representatives to share the professor’s conclusions and help the public form their own opinions.
Read Professor Elzinga’s full legal advice here:
👉 www.bit.ly/hofaprof
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