Aruba: New Parliament Sworn In
http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/5756/1/Aruba-New-Parliament-Sworn-In/Page1.html
S Coward
By S Coward
Published on 31-Oct-09
Oranjestad -- Oct. 31, 2009 -- (www.arubatoday.com): In the presence of family and friends, 21 members of Aruba Parliament
were sworn in October 29th.
People's Party won 48% of the vote
Oranjestad -- Oct. 31, 2009 -- (www.arubatoday.com): In the presence of family and friends, 21 members of Aruba Parliament
were sworn in October 29th. The ceremony began at exactly 10 am
and officiated by Governor Fredis Refunjol and his assistant.
Aruba’s new Parliament consists of 7 females of the 21 seats: 3 from AVP and 4 from MEP. After 8 years, the baton was passed as Presidente of Parlamento to a male drs. Andy Lee. and Vice President Paul Croes.
The People's Party (AVP) won 48 percent of the vote in the recent election and will control 12 of 21 legislative seats, according to results by the Elections Council.
"I am convinced we will make Aruba a happy island again," People's Party leader Mike Eman said as thousands of people unfurled the party's green flag and set off firecrackers to celebrate.
Oduber's People's Electoral Movement, which has held power since 2001, won 36 percent of the vote and will hold 8 seats. The last spot went to the Democratic Party. Eman's party won in part on promises to eliminate the 3 percent cumulative tax on local businesses and to lower inflation on the Dutch Caribbean island, a tourism-based economy that is dependent on imports and known for high prices.
Eman also pledged to address concerns about lagging tourism _ down 5 percent in the first half of the year _ as well as impending layoffs by Valero Energy Corp., which owns the island's refinery. San Antonio-based Valero has said it will dismiss several hundred contract workers at the refinery, which has been closed since mid-July. It has not decided the fate of 780 permanent employees there.
The Elections Council said 85 percent of 64,600 voters participated in the September vote. Aruba obtained full autonomy in its internal affairs when it separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, but the Dutch government still oversees defense and other areas.
Aruba’s new Parliament consists of 7 females of the 21 seats: 3 from AVP and 4 from MEP. After 8 years, the baton was passed as Presidente of Parlamento to a male drs. Andy Lee. and Vice President Paul Croes.
The People's Party (AVP) won 48 percent of the vote in the recent election and will control 12 of 21 legislative seats, according to results by the Elections Council.
"I am convinced we will make Aruba a happy island again," People's Party leader Mike Eman said as thousands of people unfurled the party's green flag and set off firecrackers to celebrate.
Oduber's People's Electoral Movement, which has held power since 2001, won 36 percent of the vote and will hold 8 seats. The last spot went to the Democratic Party. Eman's party won in part on promises to eliminate the 3 percent cumulative tax on local businesses and to lower inflation on the Dutch Caribbean island, a tourism-based economy that is dependent on imports and known for high prices.
Eman also pledged to address concerns about lagging tourism _ down 5 percent in the first half of the year _ as well as impending layoffs by Valero Energy Corp., which owns the island's refinery. San Antonio-based Valero has said it will dismiss several hundred contract workers at the refinery, which has been closed since mid-July. It has not decided the fate of 780 permanent employees there.
The Elections Council said 85 percent of 64,600 voters participated in the September vote. Aruba obtained full autonomy in its internal affairs when it separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, but the Dutch government still oversees defense and other areas.