If the law is passed, the number of island council members will gradually increase at the elections on March 17, 2027. Bonaire will gain two members (from 9 to 11), Sint Eustatius and Saba will increase from 5 to 7 island council members. The number of deputies will also grow: on Bonaire from 3 to 4, and on Sint Eustatius and Saba from 2 to 3. Increasing the number of island council members and deputies is part of the revision of the Public Bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Act (WolBES) and has been accelerated.
Growing Along
The island councils and executive boards are being expanded because the number of council members and deputies has not been adjusted since 2010 to the growth in population. Furthermore, the number of representatives and administrators on Saba and Sint Eustatius is lower than in municipalities of comparable size. The islands themselves indicated that there are too few deputies for the large amount of work. This bill gives the islands more administrative capacity to tackle important challenges.
State Secretary Van Marum: “I am pleased that we can send this law to the House of Representatives in an accelerated manner. With this bill, we not only strengthen democracy but also the involvement of residents. In addition, we continue to support local administrators and thereby contribute to a better perspective for the residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.”
