Global Law & Government
Aruba Law & Government
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon
separation from the Netherlands Antilles
Government type: NA
National capital: Oranjestad
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; in 1990, Aruba requested and received from the Netherlands
cancellation of the agreement to automatically give independence to the island in 1996)
National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March
Constitution: 1 January 1986
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor
General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)
head of government: Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Glenbert F.
CROES
cabinet : Council of Ministers elected by the Staten
elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the queen; prime minister
and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for a four-year term; election last held 29 July 1994 (next to be held by July
1998)
election results : Jan (Henny) H. EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA; Glenbert F. CROES
elected deputy prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote and serve four-year
terms)
elections: last held 29 July 1994 (next to be held by NA July 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson ODUBER]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan
(Henny) H. EMAN]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]; New Patriotic Party or PPN [Eddy
WERLEMEN]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI];
Democratic Action '86 or AD '86 [Arturo ODUBER]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]
note: governing coalition includes the AVP and OLA
International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO
(associate)