As Aruba gears up for its December 9 elections, political tensions have risen across the island. With 12 parties registered to participate, some of the more established political players face internal challenges, while newcomers show surprising strength. The process of submitting candidate lists to the Electoral Council has highlighted both the struggles and successes of various parties, signaling what could be a historic election season.

A Historic Shift for AVP: Wendrick Cicilia Takes the Helm

Perhaps the most shocking development comes from the Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP). On Friday afternoon, the party revealed its list of 29 candidates, but it was the announcement of Wendrick Cicilia as the party’s top candidate that left many stunned. Cicilia replaces former party leader Mike Eman, who had been the face of AVP for several election cycles.

Mike Eman surprised supporters and the broader community when he handed over the party’s top spot to Cicilia, citing that he had found the right candidate to lead AVP into the future. Eman assured the public that Cicilia is fully prepared and capable of guiding the party. While Eman remains the official party leader, the final decision on party leadership will be made at an upcoming congress.

Wendrick Cicilia, now the lijsttrekker (list leader) of AVP, acknowledged the historic nature of this shift. He highlighted the strength of AVP’s team, built on values such as solidarity, shared responsibility, and sustainability, and reiterated that the party is focused on serving the common good. With a fresh face at its helm, AVP is poised to engage voters in a new way during this election season.

Struggles and Surprises Across the Political Spectrum

The December elections are shaping up to be unpredictable, with several parties facing challenges in filling their candidate lists. The two major traditionalist parties, AVP and MEP, were the only ones able to submit a full list of 29 candidates. However, even MEP struggled to finalize its roster, with uncertainty surrounding its candidate list until the last hours of Thursday night.

While AVP’s leadership change has garnered the most attention, other parties have faced their own hurdles. UPP, led this time by Giovanni Trim, and HTC each managed to submit a list of only four candidates. Meanwhile, CURP and MAS, under the leadership of Marisol Lopez Tromp, also struggled to present strong lists, with fewer than 10 candidates each.

In contrast, the newly formed party Futuro has been a standout, presenting a list of 10 candidates, which is quite impressive for a newcomer. Futuro’s showing surpassed some seasoned parties like MAS, CURP, and even PPA, led by Otmar Oduber. PPA submitted 16 candidates, just one fewer than in the 2021 elections.

A Strained Political Climate

The overall political atmosphere in Aruba has been tense. Many parties are finding it difficult to recruit candidates due to a negative environment in the political arena, marked by offensive behavior and personal attacks. Despite frequent calls from politicians for a “new kind of politics,” the candidate lists presented so far give little indication that significant change is on the horizon.

As the campaign trail heats up, parties are expected to begin canvassing from house to house, seeking voter support while addressing the needs of the broader Aruban population. The December 9 elections will be critical in shaping the future direction of the island, especially as both established and new parties grapple with the challenges of modern governance.

A Race for Change?

As the December 9 election day draws nearer, Aruba is witnessing both continuity and change in its political landscape. With Wendrick Cicilia leading AVP into this new chapter and other parties like Futuro making a solid debut, voters will have much to consider. However, the struggles of many parties to present strong candidate lists highlight the complexities of navigating Aruba’s political arena in these uncertain times.

Ultimately, whether this election cycle ushers in real change or reinforces existing dynamics will depend on how parties connect with voters in the weeks leading up to the polls. One thing is certain: this election season is one to watch closely, with the potential to reshape Aruba’s political future.