Government Refuses to Ratify LIM Law

The LIM Law Aruba will not be ratified by the government, despite being approved by Parliament in December 2025.

On Wednesday, the Government of Aruba informed Parliament that it has decided not to ratify the amended Landsverordening Establishment of Ministries (LIM). The law concerns the establishment and structuring of ministries when a new cabinet takes office.

The reason for the decision lies in an amendment approved during parliamentary debate. According to the government, the amendment fundamentally altered the law in a way that makes it legally incompatible, based on advice from the Raad van Advies (Council of Advice).

The Controversial Amendment

During the public debate on December 15, 2025, MP Mike de Meza introduced an amendment that added a new Article 14 to the LIM Law Aruba. The amendment introduced provisions regarding the prosecution and trial of ministers, former ministers, and members of Parliament before the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.

Because of the significant nature of this change, Article 22, third paragraph, of the Landsverordening Raad van Advies 2022 became applicable. This provision requires that if Parliament introduces substantial changes to a draft law after the Raad van Advies has already issued advice, the government must consult the Raad van Advies again.

As a result, on December 22, 2025, the government requested renewed advice from the Raad van Advies.

Raad van Advies Ruling

In its advisory opinion dated February 11, 2026 (RvA 117-25), the Raad van Advies concluded that the amendment is not compatible with:

• The Statute of the Kingdom

• The Constitution of Aruba (Staatsregeling)

• Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR / IVBPR)

Following this legal assessment, the government decided to adopt the advice of the Raad van Advies and therefore refused to ratify the LIM Law Aruba in its amended form.

What Happens Next?

Because the law has not been ratified, it will not enter into force.

Under Article II.5 of the Constitution of Aruba, the government announced it will submit a new draft law later this year concerning the establishment of ministries.

Politically, discussions have emerged regarding the implications of this decision, particularly since the amendment was introduced by MP Mike de Meza. However, the government maintains that its decision is based strictly on constitutional and legal grounds.

The refusal to ratify the LIM Law Aruba underscores the importance of constitutional review in Aruba’s legislative process and highlights the role of the Raad van Advies in safeguarding legal compatibility.

Further developments are expected once a new draft law is submitted to Parliament.