Government
Curaçao along with neighbouring Bonaire and three islands in the eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba), forms The Netherlands Antilles, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Locals are Duch nationals and carry European passports
Politics
Curaçao is part of The Netherlands Antilles which in turn forms part of
the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The form of government is a parliamentary
democracy based on such underlying premises as freedom of association, the
right to form political parties, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
The Netherlands Antilles is a politically stable entity in the Caribbean
region. Forming an autonomous state within the Dutch Kingdom, The Netherlands
Antilles is fully responsible for the conduct of its domestic affairs. Defense
and foreign affairs are within the province of the Government of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Antilles has two levels of government: a central (federal) and an insular (territorial) level. The Central Government, which takes care of state affairs, consists of three bodies: an appointed Governor as the representative of the Queen, an appointed Council of Ministers and a 22-member Parliament (De Staten) elected every four years on the basis of universal suffrage. The Central Government's jurisdiction covers mostly state affairs (legislation) and includes such areas as police, communications, taxation, public health, education, economic control, the establishment of enterprises, labour legislation, money and banking, and foreign currency.
The Island Government is responsible for the affairs of the island territories and consists of three bodies: a Governor appointed by the Queen, an Executive Council appointed by the Island Council and an Island Council elected every four years by the people. The island government manage its own territorial affairs and has the power to enact laws. The island government is responsible for the infrastructure, harbours, etc.
Flag
Curaçao's flag portrays the
blue sea and sky, cut by the yellow sun. The two stars represent Curaçao
and its uninhabited sister island Klein-Curaçao; their five points
symbolize the five continents from which the varied local population
originates.