Van der Burg to discuss political crisis with Bonaire Executive Council

THE HAGUE – Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg will meet with Bonaire's Executive Council on Monday to discuss what the ministry describes as the island's recent political and administrative developments. This according to dutch portal dossierkoninkrijksrelaties. 

The meeting will take place on the first day of Van der Burg's official visit to the ABC islands. It comes just three months after Bonaire's new governing coalition took office and amid a growing political crisis.

The UPB, the largest party in the Executive Council, unexpectedly dismissed MPB commissioner Statia from office. Although UPB had already prepared a replacement, the coalition's other partners blocked the appointment.

Since then, coalition parties have been trying to resolve the dispute. A mediation effort by Lieutenant Governor John Soliano failed to produce an agreement, while tensions have continued to escalate. UPB leader Elton Craane has also announced plans to file a defamation complaint against the leader of coalition partner MPB.

The Dutch Ministry of the Interior has not disclosed the specific agenda for Monday's meeting between Van der Burg and the remaining members of Bonaire's Executive Council.