Eugene Rhuggenaath

Eugene Rhuggenaath (born 4 February 1970)[1][2] is a Curaçaoan politician who served as the 7th prime minister of Curaçao between 29 May 2017 and 14 June 2021. He previously served as Minister for Economic Development in the Koeiman-Cabinet in 2016. He served as a member of the Island Council (2003–2009) and a member of parliament till 2021.

Eugene Rhuggenaath
7th Prime Minister of Curaçao
In office
29 May 2017 – 14 June 2021
MonarchWillem-Alexander
GovernorLucille George-Wout
Preceded byGilmar Pisas
Succeeded byGilmar Pisas
Minister for Economic Development
In office
30 November 2015 – 24 March 2017
Prime MinisterBen Whiteman
Hensley Koeiman
Preceded byStanley Palm
Succeeded byErrol Goeloe
Member of the Island council of Curaçao
In office
2003–2009
Member of Parliament
In office
11 May 2017 – 29 May 2017
Personal details
Born (1970-02-04) 4 February 1970
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
NationalityDutch
Political partyPartido Alternativa Real (Real Alternative Party, PAR)

During the 2017 Curaçao general election his party received the most votes. Rhuggenaath was appointed formateur by the governor to form a coalition government.[3]

Rhuggenaath was sworn in as prime minister on 29 May 2017.[4]

On 29 September 2017 Rhuggenaath held a speech calling for more acceptance at the Curaçao Gay Pride, activists called the speech "historical".[5][6]

During the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, Rhuggenaath initially refused to accept a financial aid package by the Netherlands due to disagreements over salary cuts and labor reforms pushed by the latter.[7] Ultimately the conditions of the financial aid package were accepted, the conditions still haven't been implemented, requiring sacrifices in the exuberant loans in the public sector. At the same time, Rhuggenaath and his cabinet raised their salaries in order to subevent the conditions of the financial aid package. Meanwhile, the National Debt has risen to around 100 per cent of GDP, after the Netherlands provided a debt relief package in 2010, achieving a 28 per cent National Debt compared to GDP. Furthermore, Standard and Poor's Sovereign ratings lowered its expectations due to financial mismanagement preceding the COVID-19 crisis, the Financial Supervisory Board already flagged Rhuggenaath's government several times preceding the COVID-19 crisis that it was in breach of the debt rules imposed as part the debt relief scheme implemented by the Netherlands in 2010.

The two governments reached an agreement in October 2020 that gave Curaçao more autonomy and power over COVID-19 investments and loans.[8]

Rhuggenaath was elected for parliament in the 2021 Curaçao general election, but relinquished his seat.[9]

References
  1. "Eugene Rhuggenaath". Government of Curaçao. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019.
  2. "High Expectations For New Minister Of Economic Development". Curaçao Chronicle. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  3. "Rhuggenaath is now 'formateur'". The Daily Herald. 12 May 2017.
  4. "New Curaçao Government Under The Leadership Of Rhuggenaath Sworn In". The Curaçao Chronicle. 29 May 2017.
  5. "'Historical' Speech Prime Minister Curaçao During Gay Pride". Curaçao Chronicle. 29 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017.
  6. "'Historische' toespraak premier Curaçao op Gay Pride". Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (in Dutch). 29 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017.
  7. Department, Graphics (10 July 2020). "Curaçao, St. Maarten reject Dutch package". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  8. "Curaçao government: "We have reached an agreement with the Netherlands"". www.curacaochronicle.com. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  9. "Rhuggenaath will not take his seat in parliament". Curacao Chronicle. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
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