Government and Politics of Aruba

Government Type

parliamentary democracy

Administrative Divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Legal System

based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

see the Netherlands

Executive Branch

chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013), represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT (since 1 January 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES (since 17 November 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (Aruban Parliament) elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms election results: Evelyn WEVER-CROES elected prime minister following her party's victory in the 2017 parliamentary elections; she was subsequently returned to office following the 2021 elections, in which her party, Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP), secured a majority in the Staten

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections: last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held in 2025) Election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 35.3%, MEP 31.3%, MAS 10.6%, Raiz 7.4%, POR 6.5%, PPT 4.5%, other 4.4%; seats by party - AVP 9, MEP 8, MAS 2, Raiz 1, POR 1

Judicial Branch

Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)

Political Parties

Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Head of State

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands, represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT

Head of Government

Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES

Cabinet

Council of Ministers elected by the Staten

Elections

last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

Election Results

Percent of vote by party - MEP 35.9%, AVP 27.6%, MAS 10.9%, POR 8.7%, Raiz 6.4%, PPT 4.8%, other 5.7%; seats by party - MEP 9, AVP 7, MAS 2, POR 2, Raiz 1; results reflect the most recent legislative elections held in June 2021, in which the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP) won the most seats and party leader Evelyn Wever-Croes was reconfirmed as Prime Minister.

Constitution

1-Jan-86

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National Holiday

Flag Day, 18 March

International Organization Participation

Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba

Capital City

Oranjestad

Location

12 31 N, 70 02 W

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

translates as "orange town" in Dutch; the city is named after William I (1533-1584), Prince of Orange, the first ruler of the Netherlands

United States Consulate General Curacao J.B. Gorsiraweg 1, Willemstad, Curaçao Telephone: (599-9) 461-3066 Emergency after-hours telephone: (599-9) 510-6870 Facsimile: (599-9) 461-6489

Military Branches

No regular military forces