A solemn meeting for the new parliamentary year 2023-2024 took place yesterday morning in the parliament. The hall was packed with people, all dressed in their finest attire, ready to open the parliamentary year.
The re-elected president, Mr. Edgar Vrolijk spoke and indicated that on the second Tuesday of the month September, the parliament celebrates the opening of the new parliamentary year. All parliamentarians present in the hall are guests of honour for the opening.
The parliamentary year is a very special and important day for the functioning of the democratic system in Aruba. September 12, 2023 will close the 2022-2023 parliamentary year. In recent years, much work has been done to improve the functioning of Aruba’s second highest organ, the parliament. The day also marks the beginning of a new parliamentary year 2023-2024 which will focus on work to be completed for the benefit of the functioning of the parliament. According to parliamentary president Edgar Vrolijk this certainly marks the beginning of another year of great work and changes that will mark a new direction for parliament and that will benefit our future generations of parliamentarians positively before us.
Prime Minister of Aruba Evelyn Wever Croes and her cabinet were present in the parliament, parliamentarians were all present in the parliament hall, but also secretary of the minister council, representatives of the consultative council, the general controller, the common court of justice, the public ministry, representatives of the central bank, the social economic council, the chamber of commerce and various important associations of the country Aruba. Also present were former presidents of the parliament, former state clerks, representatives of the Netherlands in Aruba, representatives of the marine representative in Aruba, heads of government departments as well as EPB San Nicolas who are present in the public.
The president of the parliament was re-elected by the current president of the parliament Edgar Vrolijk and the vice president was re-elected by Raymond Kamperveen. The appointed commission was to seek the governorship of Aruba and bring Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt into the parliamentary chamber to open the parliamentary year. The commission consists of MP Shailiny Tromp Lee (MEP). Ms. Agunette Gun (MAS), and Ms. Mervin Wyatt Ras (AVP) was also present.