Eugene Rhuggenaath

Eugene Rhuggenaath (born 4 February 1970) 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.

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

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

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

During the 2020 Covid-19 crisis, the Rhuggenaath Cabinet requested financial assistance from the Netherlands. However, this request was met with a list of conditions. These conditions did not comply with the “Statuut” (by-law/statute) signed by Curaçao and the Netherlands in 1954. Some of the conditions would contradict this “Statuut”. Another things was also that in this list of conditions, The Netherlands did not take into account the resilience of the Curacao Economy and other situations of impact.

Initially, Eugene Rhuggenaath rejected this offer and proposed his own plan based on the “Groeistrategie”. This agreement was signed in 2019 and was already being implemented. The “Groeistrategie” included several reforms that would help Curacao’s economy progress and foster a better relationship between Curacao and The Netherlands. Eugene Rhuggenaath agreed to the adjusted conditions provided that the agreement would also be reviewed by the Raad van State (Council of State). In March 2021, the Raad van State released its report and ruled in favor of Eugene Rhuggenaath. In the meantime, Curaçao had taken necessary measures such as cutting civil servants' salary packages, a 25% salary reduction for Ministers and Members of Parliament for a period of three years, and the establishment of the Country Package with various deadlines to be executed.

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.

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