Our Democracy Has Never Been in a Weaker State

Our Democracy Has Never Been in a Weaker State

13 July 2026

This is the second issue I want to address today.

My conclusion is not based on a single incident, but on the accumulation of stories in today's newspapers. Each article may seem relatively minor on its own. Together, however, they paint a troubling picture of the state of our democracy.

It begins with the Ombudsman. Of the fifteen reports that required a government response, only one received one (Curaçao.nu, 2026). When one of the country's most important independent oversight institutions is systematically ignored, this is not merely an administrative problem—it is a democratic one.

The report on the young adult drain deserves attention in this context as well. Young people do not only vote at the ballot box; they also vote with their feet. When increasing numbers of young adults decide to build their future elsewhere, it sends a powerful signal about confidence in the country's future and in its public institutions (Antilliaans Dagblad, 2026).

The introduction of DigiD should normally be welcomed as good news. Digitalization can improve public services and strengthen the relationship between government and citizens. Yet in a society where trust in government is already fragile, even such positive developments raise questions. Technology alone cannot strengthen democracy.

We also read that the driving force behind the modernization of the Tax Department has announced his departure. Institutional reform ultimately depends on people. When key individuals leave before reforms have become firmly embedded, the resilience of institutions is weakened.

The unresolved issue of approximately three billion guilders in tax debt forgiveness further illustrates how difficult it has become to bring major governance issues to a successful conclusion.

The public debate surrounding the Speaker of Parliament's trip to attend three Blue Wave matches also deserves attention. Regardless of one's opinion about the trip itself, the controversy highlights the importance of transparency and public accountability in maintaining confidence in elected officials.

Equally revealing is the report that there are 71 vacancies for supervisory board members across 46 government-owned companies. Apparently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified individuals willing to assume these important public responsibilities. That, too, should be viewed as a warning sign.

Meanwhile, fewer students are leaving for the Netherlands through the Curaçao Student Finance Foundation (SSC). The Minister Plenipotentiary, himself a former SSC director, rightly describes students as a priority. Yet an important question remains: why are fewer young people choosing this path? For years, concerns have circulated about how students are treated by the SSC. Those concerns deserve an open and honest evaluation.

We also read more frequently about people falling victim to pyramid schemes and other forms of financial fraud. This reflects not only challenges in regulation and enforcement but also the economic vulnerability of part of the population.

At the same time, the Minister of Economic Development is traveling the world to attract new investment, while elsewhere in the same newspaper attention is once again drawn to the silent crises of population aging and growing poverty among the elderly.

What picture emerges when all these stories are viewed together?

It is not the picture of a democracy that is strong, confident, and resilient.

Instead, it is the picture of a society in which institutions are under pressure, public trust is eroding, young people are leaving, social problems are accumulating, and government is struggling to provide convincing leadership.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect is that this is not an extraordinary edition of the newspaper.

It is simply an ordinary Monday.

And we have become accustomed to it.

 Miguel Goede

Sources

Antilliaans Dagblad. (2026, 13 juli). Diverse artikelen over de Curaçaose actualiteit.

Curaçao.nu. (2026, 12 juli). Overheid negeert Ombudsman: reactie op slechts één van vijftien rapporten.

Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek Curaçao. (2026). Population of Curaçao January 1st, 2026: An overview of demographic developments.