On February 6, 2018, Dutch Secretary of State, Raymond Knops, of Kingdom Relations announced to take over the government of St. Eustatius. An emergency act to do so was unanimously agreed to by the House of Representatives as well as the Senate earlier that day. It was based on article 132, paragraph 5 of the Dutch Constitution. The Island Council of St. Eustatius was dissolved, and the Deputies and Acting Island Governor were relieved of their duties.
The investigation report "Proximity or distance, a world of difference" (published in Dutch as "Nabijheid of distantie, een wereld van verschil") was presented to the House of Representatives on February 5, 2018. The report has been criticized for the selection of people being interviewed. Many of them are considered to be outsiders, not living on the island or members from the main opposition party (Source).
Installation of Dutch government
The day after, Knops appointed as central government commissioner, Mr. Marcolino (Mike) Franco and as deputy commissioner Mr. Mervyn Stegers. As stated on a government website: "The central government commissioner will assume all tasks and powers of the island administration. This state of affairs will continue until the authorities of St Eustatius are capable of performing their duties properly. Only then will new elections be held for an island council, so a new administration can take office." In theory, the Dutch takeover may last until the year 2021.Report of the Committee of Wise Men
The decision to take over the government of St. Eustatius was based on the conclusions of an investigation by a special 'committee of wise men'. The committee consisted of Mr. F.J. Refunjol and Mr. J. Franssen and concluded that the administration of St. Eustatius has set itself outside the legal order. The administration is characterized by lawlessness and financial mismanagement, but also there is discrimination, intimidation, threats and insults, arbitrariness and power lust. Source (in Dutch) The commission was installed by the minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations in June 2017.The investigation report "Proximity or distance, a world of difference" (published in Dutch as "Nabijheid of distantie, een wereld van verschil") was presented to the House of Representatives on February 5, 2018. The report has been criticized for the selection of people being interviewed. Many of them are considered to be outsiders, not living on the island or members from the main opposition party (Source).
Government response to the takeover
In the media, the government of St. Eustatius reacted strongly. Commissioner of Finance, Charles Woodley, called the takeover a hijack of democracy. Why not call an election, he asks in an article on the Caribbean Network website. He also criticizes the Dutch approach when bringing the three islands under Dutch ruling since 2010 (see the blog page About the Dutch Caribbean).
Support within the Kingdom
In May 2018, a majority of the House of Representatives on Curaçao have passed a motion about the way in which the Netherlands has taken control over St. Eustatius by dissolving the Executive Council and the Island Council. The MPs find it objectionable that the inhabitants of the island can not go to the ballot box 'against all democratic principles' in two years and possibly longer, and therefore demand the guarantee of free and democratic elections in the entire kingdom through the motion. Source: http://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/17605-meerder-in-staten-achter-statiaIn the media
- St. Eustatius: A Sad Story of Failed Opportunities, Disregard, Deception, and Inability by former Island Secretary Mr. Koert Kerkhoff
