The Aruban People's Party (AVP; , ) is a Christian-democratic political party in Aruba. The AVP was founded by Henny Eman in 1942, and the party sought autonomy for Aruba from the Netherlands Antilles.
Every government in Aruban history since 1985 has been formed by either the AVP or People's Electoral Movement. After the 2024 election the AVP currently leads a coalition with FUTURO.
History The Aruban People’s Party was formed in 1942, by Henny Eman and sought independence from the Netherlands Antilles, but not the Netherlands. The AVP found its support from native Arubans while the Aruban Patriotic Party found its support among immigrants. Members of the AVP who were more supportive of separatism broke away in the 1970s to form the People's Electoral Movement (MEP). AVP and Reformistanan Uni Pa Bienestar (RUBA) merged for the 1983 elections, but their combined seat total fell from 6 to 5.
Aruba became an autonomous constituent country. The 1985 general election, the first one after autonomy was given to Aruba, produced a coalition government led by AVP leader Henny Eman. Every government since 1985 has been formed by either the AVP or MEP.
The 2017 general election resulted in the AVP losing four of its thirteen seats, with both the AVP and MEP winning nine seats each. No party had a majority in parliament until the formation of the coalition. Eman subsequently announced that he would resign the leadership of the AVP and that the AVP would become an opposition party. A coalition was formed between AVP and FUTURO after the 2024 election.
The AVP is a christian democratic party.
Election results Netherlands Antilles Island Council elections Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– 1951Henny Eman 4,510 35.32 (#1) New 1955 2,533 17.57 (#2) 5 1959Shon A. Eman 4,899 28.31 (#2) 3 1963 5,668 29.32 (#2) 0 1967 8,413 36.81 (#2) 2 1971Dominico Croes 3,413 14.49 (#3) 3 1975Rudy Frank 1,743 5.65 (#3) 2 1979Henny Eman 6,063 18.50 (#2) 3 1983 8,102 22.57 (#2) 1
Aruba general elections Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Status Reference 1985Henny Eman 11,480 31.33 (#2) 2 1989 12,668 35.16 (#2) 1 1993 15,621 39.18 (#1) 1 1994 17,963 45.40 (#1) 1 1997 19,476 43.53 (#1) 0 2001Robertico Croes 12,749 26.58 (#2) 4 2005Mike Eman 16,725 32.59 (#2) 2 2009 26,485 48.03 (#1) 4 2013 33,103 57.28 (#1) 1 2017 23,385 39.86 (#1) 4 2021 18,348 31.28 (#2) 2 2024 17,872 32.21 (#1) 2
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