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By Caribbean News Now contributor

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- According to reports, former prime minister of Curacao declared during a radio interview at Radio Hoyer 2 (Dutch Radio) that he does not recognise the new interim government.

Gerrit Schotte

Notwithstanding leaving the office of the Prime Minister on Sunday night, he is still the outgoing prime minister of Curacao, Schotte claimed.

“The interim government is illegal and even when sworn in there were still mistakes made,” Schotte declared.

He said he will continue governing.

Schotte has been adamant about the validity of the new interim government, even after the police and other authorities have declared that they recognise the new interim government and thus the new interim prime minister and minister of justice Stanley Betrian.

Meanwhile, Betrian saidSchotte “made the right decision” by leaving the government building in Willemstad on Sunday.

According to Betrian it is also better for Schotte’s chances of re-election “because that’s harder to do when you are trapped.”

Schotte entered Fort Amsterdam on Saturday and refused to leave the building until the elections of October 19, because he did not agree with Betrian’s appointment. However, after Schotte left the building on Sunday, he spoke to his followers at the party office, telling them he was preparing for the elections.

The interim government has announced that Fort Amsterdam will be closed until further notice. The police will first examine whether it is safe to enter the premises and investigate whether official documents have been destroyed or stolen.

The situation in Curacao has prompted the release of a joint statement by Aruba, the Netherlands and St Maarten.

“The interim government is awaiting an important task for the coming period. Netherlands, Aruba and St Maarten express the hope that this interim government, together with parliament can take the necessary steps to guide both the period before the elections and the election itself to go in a properly and orderly manner,” the statement read.

It also noted that it is explicitly an interim government, and that the people of Curacao will be able to vote on October 19 and bring an end to the political situation on Curacao. The newly elected majority in Parliament of Curacao will then decide which government takes office.

Source: Curacao Chronicle

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