Mike Eman’s silence leaves crucial questions about De Meza’s future unanswered

ORANJESTAD – While Mike de Meza is still considering whether he wants to join the Cabinet, Prime Minister Mike Eman is maintaining a cautious position. Eman has expressed satisfaction that the criminal case has ended, acknowledged the impact the process had on De Meza and his family, and said the Government respects the time the MP requested to reflect. But after several days, the lack of clarity is beginning to create a political problem of its own.

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CABINET?

De Meza’s decision is no longer simply a personal matter. It could affect the composition of the Cabinet, the future of an important ministerial portfolio, relations between AVP and FUTURO, and even the Government’s position on the Kingdom Act HOFA. As Prime Minister and a prominent AVP leader, Mike Eman will eventually have to explain how the Government is preparing for each possible scenario.

CANDIDATE

Since the formation of the Cabinet, De Meza has been considered a candidate for a portfolio involving infrastructure, energy and telecommunications. His appointment remained pending during the screening process, and the Government opted for an interim distribution of responsibilities while the matter remained unresolved.

IS THE POST STILL RESERVED FOR DE MEZA?

Now that the Public Prosecutor’s Office has closed the case, the question is whether the position is still being held for De Meza. If the answer is yes, the Government must clarify exactly which portfolio he would assume and how the transition would be managed. If the post is no longer reserved for him, the Government must also explain what has changed.

HOFA CREATING PRESSURE

Another source of pressure is HOFA. De Meza has publicly positioned himself against the Kingdom Act and has called for a referendum. Deputy Prime Minister Gerlien Croes, on the other hand, has indicated that HOFA is part of the governing agreement and that a minister must be able to operate within the agreement that supports the Cabinet. The advice of the Council of State of the Kingdom is already public. The body adopted its advice on June 3, 2026, and it was published on June 8. The advice called for adjustments and clarification, including limiting interference by the Kingdom Council of Ministers in local legislation to what is strictly necessary to comply with financial standards. The main legal information is therefore already on the table. What is missing is political clarity: if De Meza becomes a minister, will he have to accept the Cabinet’s course on HOFA, or will there be room for him to maintain a different position?

HOW LONG WILL THE GOVERNMENT WAIT?

It is also unclear how long the Government is prepared to wait for a decision. A period of reflection after nearly two years of proceedings may be reasonable, but a Cabinet cannot remain indefinitely in uncertainty, particularly when the issue affects a ministerial portfolio and the internal balance of the coalition. Without a clear date or horizon, the space for rumours grows. There is speculation about possible conflict within AVP, differences with FUTURO, a possible departure by De Meza from the party, and even consequences for the stability of the Cabinet. Not all of these speculations necessarily have a factual basis, but the lack of official information allows them to flourish.

CLARIFY THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION

Eman is under no obligation to reveal confidential conversations with De Meza. But as Prime Minister, he can clarify the Government’s position on several fundamental points: whether the post is still intended for De Meza, whether a future minister would be required to support HOFA, whether there is a deadline for the decision, and what happens if De Meza ultimately decides to remain an MP.

ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR HOFA?

There is also an important parliamentary question. If De Meza remains in Parliament and votes against HOFA, can the Government still guarantee enough support to pass the law? And when Gerlien Croes speaks of the possibility that “if there is no agreement, there is no Government,” does Mike Eman regard that as a description of the political reality or as the Cabinet’s official position? These are not extraordinary questions. They are the direct result of a situation in which one personal decision could have consequences for the entire Government. While Mike de Meza thinks, Aruba waits. But with every day that passes without clarity, the Government’s silence becomes harder to sustain.