The elections in Aruba resulted in a close race between the established parties, AVP and MEP. Ultimately, the AVP narrowly received the most votes, but the new party Futuro emerged as the moral victor by securing three seats.
The Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP) increased its seats from seven to nine compared to the previous elections, while the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP) led by incumbent Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes decreased from nine to eight seats, with a difference of only 325 votes. Voter turnout was lower this year than in 2021, with 54,751 (78 percent) valid votes cast compared to 59,500 (85 percent) previously.
Since Aruba separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, the government has been led by either the MEP or the AVP. For the past seven years, Wever-Croes was the prime minister.
Now, both AVP and MEP will need the new party Futuro to form a coalition. Futuro, led by Gerlien Croes and Geoffrey Wever, attracted young voters with a fresh perspective and immediately gained influence.
The party emphasizes a long-term vision for Aruba and focuses on modernizing education, improving healthcare, and ensuring social inclusion. The AVP also benefited from a rejuvenation strategy as party leader Mike Eman handed leadership to the young lawyer Wendrick Cicilia and symbolically ran as a list pusher.
Both leaders spoke to the press after their electoral victory, surrounded by cheering supporters. Eman announced plans to work on forming a coalition starting Monday.
Source: NOS