State Secretary Zsolt Szabó (Digitalisation and Kingdom Relations) wants to keep the
position of Kingdom Representative but restructure it differently. This adjustment is
included in the legislative proposal amending the BES Public Entities Bonaire, St.
Eustatius, and Saba Act (WolBES) and the BES Public Entities Bonaire, St. Eustatius,
and Saba Finance Act (FinBES). The legislative proposal should contribute to good
governance and financial solidity.
Zsolt Szabó: “Intergovernmental supervision, where and when necessary, requires intensive
administrative involvement. This can be shaped more effectively and more appropriately by
the Kingdom Representative than by a government member in The Hague. The Kingdom
Representative is much better able to be on location quickly and knows the special
circumstances of the administration of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.”
Content position Kingdom Representative changes
The position of Kingdom Representative remains, but the content of this position is going to
change in a number of ways. The Kingdom Representative will become more involved in the
promotion and safeguarding of good governance and intergovernmental supervision.
Moreover, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba have expressed their desire to have their own
permanent representation in The Hague. As a result, the coordinating role of the Kingdom
Representative, as the representative of the interests of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, is
unnecessary or less necessary. The Executive Councils have already been informed of the
changes in the legislative proposal.
Timetable legislative proposal
The legislative proposal is due to be amended accordingly in the coming weeks. A new
internet consultation on the changes in the legislative proposal takes place in the second
quarter of 2025. This means that the legislative proposal is likely to be sent to the House of
Representatives in the first quarter of 2026.
The adjusted planning affects another change in the legislative proposal, namely the increase
in the number of Island Council members. With the new planning, this legislative change is
not expected to take effect before the March 2027 Island Council elections. As a result, the
increase in the number of Island Council members will not be able to take effect until 2031.
Amendment Legislative Proposal WolBES/FinBES Position of Kingdom Representative remains, but will be different
