Paul Croes | |
---|---|
Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor | |
In office 30 October 2013 – 17 November 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Mike Eman |
Succeeded by | Glenbert Croes |
Speaker of Parliament | |
In office 21 June 2010 – 30 October 2013 | |
Preceded by | Andy Lee |
Succeeded by | Marisol Lopez-Tromp |
Member of Parliament | |
In office 29 October 2009 – 30 October 2013 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Aruba, Netherlands Antilles | 7 November 1976
Political party | Aruban People's Party |
Pauldrick François Teodoric "Paul" Croes (born 7 November 1976) is a former Aruban politician who served as the Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor in the Second Eman Cabinet from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the Aruban People's Party, he was a member of the Parliament of Aruba between 2009 and 2013.
Croes was born in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, on 7 November 1976.[1] Following his primary education he attended the voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs. He then moved to the Netherlands and studied political science at the University of Amsterdam, where he obtained a degree in 2002. During his studies he specialized in international politics and international economics. Croes subsequently returned to Aruba and entered state service in the international relations department.[1]
Croes became politically active for the Aruban People's Party and in the 2009 general election he obtained a seat in the Parliament of Aruba with 1578 votes.[1] after being sworn in he was elected as Deputy Speaker.[2] He served as President of the Estates on 21 June 2010 and October 2013. Croes became the Parliament's youngest Speaker in history.[3] Croes maintained his seat in the 2013 general election.[1][2]
Croes joined the second cabinet of Prime Minister Mike Eman as Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor on 30 October 2013.[4] Croes stated he wished to focus on child abuse, domestic violence, poverty and an increase in job productivity.[5]
In January 2015 a journalist from newspaper Solo di Pueblo made allegations against Croes regarding corruption. Croes denied the allegations and demanded and received a rectification in the newspaper.[6] Dutch newspaper de Telegraaf also reported on the case in October 2015. The Aruban cabinet subsequently denied the allegations.[7] On 28 March 2017 it became known that Croes was a suspect in a corruption investigation regarding work permits. His house and several others were searched by local authorities, An illegal domestic worker was found at the premises.[8][9] On 31 March 2017 Croes temporarily laid down his ministerial position. Minister of Finance Angel Bermudez became caretaker for his portfolio.[10]
On 21 August 2017 Croes was arrested on suspicion of corruption.[11] Two days after his arrest Prime Minister Eman commented that Croes would keep his position as Minister.[12] He was released on 14 November 2017 awaiting a probable court date in April 2018.[13] His term in office ended when the government of Evelyn Wever-Croes was sworn in on 17 November 2017, he was succeeded by Glenbert Croes.[14]
On 22 February 2019 Croes was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.[15] consequentially he was barred from participating in politics and becoming a civil servant for 9 years.[16] Croes announced his intention to appeal the decision.[15]