MEP held a meeting one day before the Aruba Parliament addresses the same-sex marriage law. Those present requested the Prime Minister to try to delay the law’s approval until the court’s verdict is issued. The Prime Minister also stated that the government will not fall apart due to differences of opinion.
Prime Minister, Evelyn Wever-Croes, indicated that they organize these meetings not only during campaigns but also to stay in touch with the people frequently. She finds that it is a good way for all candidates to share information. Every candidate from different districts makes presentations, and those present ask questions on any topic.
When someone wants to personally bring something up, they address it. The Prime Minister expressed that many people were present during the meeting and she considers everything to have gone well.
Listening to concerns
A topic that came up a lot is the same-sex marriage law. The Prime Minister expressed that such a meeting is not to ask for or receive a mandate. They received various questions on the topic.
According to Wever-Croes, she explained where they stand. Here, she explained that the case is on cassation, and once a verdict is given, that will be the final decision. There might be laws you want, but if the verdict says which way to go, then you have to do that. You can’t just pick a side without consequences.
That’s what she explained, and on the other hand, she listened to all concerns brought forward, which is something that lives in the community. This topic is a delicate one, with different opinions. The Prime Minister indicated that this topic keeps the entire community divided. MEP is a party of the people and has different opinions as well. The Prime Minister believes in treating others with respect, giving everyone respect in this discussion. She thinks that’s how it will end up coming out.
Will the MEP faction support the law?
This topic brings up the concern that lives in the community. If this will be reflected during the meeting in parliament in the voting part to either approve the law or not, the Prime Minister went on to give an example of a person present at the extraordinary meeting. The person approached the Prime Minister and asked to do everything possible for the law not to pass, because they think it will affect marriage and family life in Aruba.
Others said the law is important for a segment of the community, not so much for the marriage part but the recognition that everyone has the right to be happy, the right for everyone to choose who they love in their life. There you can see the division in the community, where one group is against and the other is in favor. There is also that within the party. The Prime Minister emphasized that she listens to everyone and tries to explain where they stand and what the possibilities are. In this case, because of the cassation, the situation is in the hands of the Supreme Court.
Coalition will not break
Seeing the division this topic brings, the Prime Minister was asked if this could cause a coalition split. Here she indicated that when the government was formed, the understanding was that this topic is not something that should break the coalition. This topic is one where each parliamentarian stands for what they believe in and think. It’s not something that can impose a party line. Each parliamentarian defends their point of view, and it doesn’t have to reflect anything in terms of working within the coalition. According to the Prime Minister, this is something that has recently been reaffirmed between MEP and RAIZ.
