Inhabitants of the Dutch Antilles, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are voting for new members of their five governing councils today. A central theme on all five islands (Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba and Sint-Maarten) is their future relationship with the Netherlands.

In 2008, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become a special Dutch municipality. In exchange for financial help, the Dutch cabinet is asking for stricter control of financial and judicial matters. Sint-Maarten wil become an autonomous country, like Aruba. No agreement has yet been made with Curaçao.