Plasterk: Interim “Rijksvertegenwoordiger” is possible

Minister Plasterk wrote in a letter to the Senate dated December 17, that the appointment of a temporary Rijksvertegenwoordiger (National Government Representative) for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba was an option.
The Senate had asked to hold off on the appointment of a new National Government Representative until after the evaluation of the National Government coordination in the Caribbean Netherlands. This evaluation would take place around the same time that Plasterk plans to appoint a new National Government Representative, which is on May 1, 2014. The Senate does not consider this to be a good idea and suggested appointing an interim representative so the results of the evaluation can be taken along in the choice of a new official.
Plasterk considered appointing an interim National Government Representative for a shorter time than the legally prescribed six years possible in mutual consultation, even though current legislation does not mention this as a particular function. Plasterk stated in his letter that would “not anticipate nor speculate” on the possibility to appoint an interim representative until the Small Evaluation Committee Caribbean Netherlands has rendered advice on this issue. One of the members of this commission is a representant of local government of the Dutch Caribbean (red: being Jonathan Johnson). The committee will also focus on the profile of the representative and the mandate of the Dutch Government. “The commission has been asked to render an advice on this point,” the minister stated. The committee will submit its report no later than February 1, 2014.