Politics of the Netherlands Antilles

Politics of the Netherlands Antilles, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic country, whereby the prime minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Netherlands Antilles have full autonomy on most matters. Exceptions are defence, foreign affairs, and the Supreme Court.

Executive power rests with a governor, and a prime minister heads an eight-member Cabinet. The governor is appointed for a six-year term by the monarch, and the prime minister and deputy prime minister are elected by the Staten for four-year terms. The legislature or Staten elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms.

The judicial system, which has mainly been derived from the Dutch system, operates independently of the legislature and the executive. Jurisdiction, including appeal, lies with the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and the Supreme Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands Antilles is scheduled to be disbanded December 15, 2008.

Executive branch

!align=left|Queen
Beatrix|
30 April 1980
-!Governor
Frits Goedgedrag|
1 July 2002
-!align=left|Prime Minister
Emily de Jongh-Elhage
PAR
26 March 2006The Governor is appointed by the monarch for a six-year term.
The Council of Ministers is elected by the Staten.

Legislative branch

Unicameral Estates of the Netherlands Antilles (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Political parties and elections

Political parties are indigenous to each island.

Judicial branch

Joint High Court of Justice, judges appointed by the monarch
"note:"

Administrative divisions

The Antilles are divided into five insular territories: Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius.

Reform

The Netherlands Antilles are to be disbanded by the end of 2008. Curaçao and Sint-Maarten are to become separate "landen" within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a status similar to that of Aruba. Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become part the "special communities" of the Netherlands-proper.

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO (associate)