Eman to transfer AVP leadership to Cicilia on 4 October

Prime Minister Mike Eman is due to transfer leadership of the Aruban People’s Party, AVP, to Tourism, Transport and Labour Minister Wendrick Cicilia at the party’s congress on Sunday 4 October. Eman confirmed the planned handover during a meeting at AVP headquarters.

The congress is scheduled to begin at 9am AST at the Aruba Marriott Resort Grand Ballroom. Cicilia would lead AVP while Eman remains prime minister. Eman has said he intends to end his tenure as prime minister on 1 January 2027.

AVP has also placed changes to its statutes and the presentation of a new party board on the congress agenda. The party has described the leadership transition as its “Era di Relevo”, or era of succession.

Cicilia serves in the AVP-FUTURO government formed in March 2025. AVP won nine of Parliament’s 21 seats in the December 2024 election.