Constitution of Aruba
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Aruba's State Constitution was unanimously approved by all political parties represented in Aruba's Parliament on a January 1, 1986, and was proclaimed in the Afkondigingsblad van Aruba, No.26, 1985, on January 1, 1986.
The Constitution is based on democratic Western principles and provides for a governor, appointed by the king or queen regnant for a six-year term, to oversee the commonwealth's local government. An elected prime minister heads the local government and receives legislation from the seven-member Council of Ministers. This parliament has responsibility for legislative, executive and judicial powers. Judicial powers are carried out by the common court, the Justice of Aruba, and at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.
Aruba's State Constitution approved unanimously on August 9, 1985, was proclaimed in the Dutch language on August 19, and although its translation in Papiamento, Aruba's National language, was already completed in 1985, it still has not been proclaimed in Papiamento.
On January 1, 1986, Aruba's "Statehood or Independence Day", Aruba became a sovereign, independent, autonomous member State of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which now consisted of the three member States: Aruba, the "Staat der Nederlanden" and the "Nederlandse Antillen". The 'Kingdom of the Netherlands' Government handles defense, citizenship and foreign affairs.
Aruba and the other two member states are not fully independent—Aruba's relation within the 'Kingdom of the Netherlands', based on the self-determination referendum held in 1977, the Agreement proclaimed in 1983, the Regulation for the Governor of Aruba and its Constitution in force since August 1985, is more like a commonwealth relationship.
