Gerrit Schotte
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| His Excellency Gerrit Schotte |
|
|---|---|
| 1st Prime Minister of Curaçao | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 10 October 2010 |
|
| Monarch | Queen Beatrix |
| Governor | Frits Goedgedrag |
| Preceded by | none |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1974 |
| Political party | Movementu Futuro Korsou |
Gerrit Fransisco Schotte (born September 9, 1974) is a politician from Curaçao, and the current leader of the Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK). In the Curaçao general election of August 27, 2010, the MFK became the second largest party with 5 seats in the Island Council. MFK formed an island government together with Pueblo Soberano and Partido MAN on September 4.[1] This coalition became the first Cabinet of Curaçao when the Netherlands Antilles was dismantled on October 10, 2010. Schotte at that point became the first Prime Minister of Curaçao.[2]
Schotte is the first Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of the new country of Curaçao, which became autonomous in October 2010. He is one of the youngest persons in modern history to assume the office of Prime Minister, and globally one of the youngest Prime Ministers currently serving.
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[edit] Political activity
Schotte first gained political experience as an advisor to the political party Frente Obrero. He became more active in politics when he, with a former member of the Island Council, Rignald Lak, founded the political movement Movementu Patriotiko Kòrsou (MPK) in 2005. He was appointed as Commissioner of Tourism and Economic Affairs. During his term (February 2006 – December 2006), he managed to achieve tangible progress in the areas covered by his portfolio, including successfully branding Curaçao as one of the top Caribbean destinations.
Schotte stood for election in the Island Council elections of April 2007 as candidate number 7 for the political party MAN. He received 2,370 preferential popular votes. At the age of 32, he was one of the youngest Island Council members.
In the parliamentary election of January 2010, Schotte received 9,313 votes as candidate number 5 on the Lista di Kambi- an election slate with a combination of the political parties MAN, Niun Paso Atras (NPA) and Forsa Kòrsou (FK). In only his second election, Schotte received the highest number of votes for a candidate not a party leader in any election in the Netherlands Antilles. Overall, he had the third largest share of the votes in the entire election.
On 9 July 2010, just a few weeks before the first Parliamentary election of Curaçao, held in light of the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles per 10 October 2010, Schotte founded and launched his own political movement Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK). His motivation to do so was the need he saw that the population of Curaçao had to be inspired towards a new direction in their political future. His primary objective being the sustainable development of Curaçao by- and for the people of Curaçao had to result in a sound, healthy and secure nation. Notwithstanding the short period before the election, MFK received 5 of the 21 seats in the future Parliament of Curaçao, and thus becoming the second largest party.
On 3 September 2010, the parties MFK, Pueblo Soberano (PS) and MAN formed a coalition government. On 16 September 2010, the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, as representative of the Queen, appointed Schotte - being the leader of the biggest party in the coalition - to form the incoming cabinet of Curaçao per 10 October 2010. He successfully executed this mandate, and the first cabinet of the country of Curaçao - consisting of nine ministers - was sworn in on 10 October 2010 with Schotte as Prime Minister. In honor of his achievements in politics, Schotte was awarded the degree Doctor Honoris Causa in Political Science by the Caribbean International University in November 2010.
[edit] Personal life
Schotte was born on the island of Curaçao on 9 September 1974, to Hendrik Schotte, a teacher, and Maria Ruiz. He did not complete his high school, but gained some entrepreneurial and management skills instead. He founded “The Shoppers”, a purchasing and import office, (1995-2000), “Bad BoyzToyz”, a paintball store, and “Food4U Delivery Service” (2000-2002). He was later recruited to become the general manager of the Lido Hotel Resort & Casino N.V. (2001 to 2005).
Gerrit Schotte was convicted by the court in Willemstad, Curaçao for several cases of credit card fraud.[3] Furthermore, he caused a car accident, leaving an elderly woman dead after Gerrit Schotte drove with approximately 100 kilometers per hour on a road where 30 kilometers per hour is permitted. Finally there are reports of insurance fraud and diploma fraud.[4]
[edit] The Gerrit Schotte Foundation
The Gerrit Schotte Foundation (Fundashon Gerrit Schotte) is active in community projects providing assistance to children in lower income families.
[edit] References
- ^ RNW.nl - Akkoord over Bestuurscollege Curaçao
- ^ RNW.nl - Eerste kabinet Curaçao in de steigers
- ^ "Frente Sivíl criticizes Schotte’s conduct". Amigoe Nieuws. 3 April 2012. http://www.amigoe.com/english/107196-frente-sivil-criticizes-schottes-conduct?tmpl=component&layout=default&page=. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ "coalition and godett reject vote of no confidence against cabinet". Amigoe Nieuws. 12 April 2012. http://www.amigoe.com/english/109577-coalition-and-godett-reject-vote-of-no-confidence-against-cabinet!tmpl=component&layout=default&page=. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
