A status referendum was held on the island of Curaçao on 8 April 2005.[1] The option of becoming an autonomous area within the Kingdom of the Netherlands was approved by 68% of voters.[2]
Background
editAfter the 1993 referendum failed to show support for a separate status for Curaçao, the government of the Netherlands Antilles tried to restructure the Netherlands Antilles and attempted to forge closer ties between the islands, as is exemplified by the adoption of an anthem of the Netherlands Antilles in 2000. A new referendum on Sint Maarten, which was in favour of a separate status for Sint Maarten as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sparked a new series of referendums across the Netherlands Antilles, however. Curaçao was the last island to vote.
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands | 42,425 | 67.83 | |
| Integration into the Netherlands | 14,769 | 23.61 | |
| Independence | 3,014 | 4.82 | |
| Remain part of the Netherlands Antilles | 2,342 | 3.74 | |
| Total | 62,550 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 62,550 | 99.25 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 474 | 0.75 | |
| Total votes | 63,024 | 100.00 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | 114,500 | 55.04 | |
| Source: Direct Democracy | |||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ van den Berg, Stephanie (2005-04-11). "Curacao votes for more autonomy". Caribbean Net News. Archived from the original on 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
- ^ Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), 8 April 2005: Status Direct Democracy (in German)