Evelyn Wever-Croes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evelyn Wever-Croes
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Wever-Croes in 2022
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| 4th Prime Minister of Aruba | |
| In office 17 November 2017 – 28 March 2025 |
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| Monarch | Willem-Alexander |
| Governor | Alfonso Boekhoudt |
| Preceded by | Mike Eman |
| Succeeded by | Mike Eman |
| Minister of General Affairs, Integrity, Energy and Innovation | |
| In office 17 November 2017 – 28 March 2025 |
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| Monarch | Willem-Alexander |
| Governor | Alfonso Boekhoudt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Evelyna Christina Croes
5 December 1966 Leiden, Netherlands |
| Political party | People's Electoral Movement |
| Spouse | Kenneth Wever |
Evelyna Christina "Evelyn" Wever-Croes was born on December 5, 1966. She is an important politician from Aruba. From 2017 to 2025, she served as the 4th Prime Minister of Aruba. This was a very special moment because she was the first woman ever to hold this high position. Evelyn Wever-Croes is part of a political group called the People's Electoral Movement, also known as MEP. She has been the leader of this group since 2011.
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Her Early Life and Education
Evelyn Wever-Croes was born in Leiden, Netherlands, on December 5, 1966. She grew up in a family where politics was often discussed. Her uncles, Betico Croes and Rudy Croes, were also involved in politics.
She went to high school at the Colegio Arubano in Oranjestad. After high school, she studied law at the University of the Netherlands Antilles. Later, she moved to the Netherlands to study tax law at Leiden University.
After her studies, Evelyn Wever-Croes worked in the tax department for many years. She even became the head of a department. Later, she worked as a tax adviser and a lawyer at a law firm.
Starting Her Political Journey
Evelyn Wever-Croes started her political career in 2009. She was elected to the Parliament, which is like the main law-making group for Aruba.
In 2011, she became the leader of her political party, the People's Electoral Movement (MEP). Then, in 2013, she became the leader of her party's group in Parliament.
In the 2017 elections, her party won many seats. After a lot of discussions, she was able to form a new government. This government was a "coalition," meaning different political groups worked together. It was the first time in 16 years that Aruba had a coalition government. Most importantly, Evelyn Wever-Croes became the first woman to lead Aruba as its Prime Minister. She and her team, called the "cabinet," officially started their work on November 17, 2017.
Becoming Prime Minister
Evelyn Wever-Croes became the Prime Minister of Aruba on November 17, 2017. She led her first government, known as the "cabinet." This cabinet was officially sworn in by Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt.
Leading Aruba's Government
When Evelyn Wever-Croes became Prime Minister, one of her main goals was to improve Aruba's finances. The previous government had spent more money than it had, which is called a "budget deficit."
Managing Aruba's Money
To fix the budget, she started making changes. She limited the number of staff for each minister. She also put a limit on government salaries. Her goal was to create a plan to help Aruba's money situation.
Aruba and the Netherlands worked together on financial rules. They agreed on how Aruba would manage its budget for several years. This helped Aruba avoid bigger financial problems.
In 2020, she announced that her government had saved 27 million Aruban florin in one year. This showed her efforts to manage the country's money carefully.
Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic in Aruba brought big challenges to Aruba. To keep people safe, Prime Minister Wever-Croes put a curfew in place. This meant people had to stay home during certain hours. She also temporarily stopped people from returning to Aruba from other countries.
The pandemic greatly affected Aruba's economy. The government's income dropped a lot. To help, Wever-Croes made some tough decisions. She reduced the salaries of high-ranking government officials. She also set a new rule, called the "Wever-Croes standard." This rule limited how much directors of government-run companies could earn.
Aruba needed financial help during the pandemic. Wever-Croes asked the Netherlands for support. After many discussions, they reached an agreement. The Netherlands provided financial aid to Aruba. This help was important for Aruba to recover and keep its services running. The agreement also included plans for long-term improvements in areas like education and healthcare.
Other Important Decisions
Evelyn Wever-Croes believes it is important for more women to become political leaders. She encourages women to run for office.
Aruba also faced a challenge with many people arriving from Venezuela. These people were seeking safety in Aruba. Wever-Croes discussed this situation with the Netherlands. She worked to find solutions for this important issue.
Her Second Term as Leader
Evelyn Wever-Croes began her second term as Prime Minister on September 21, 2021. Her new cabinet was also sworn in by Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt.
After the 2024 elections in Aruba, a new government was formed. This meant that Mike Eman became the new leader of the government. He officially took office on March 28, 2025.
Her Family Life
Evelyn Wever-Croes is married to Kenneth Wever. She has a son and is also a grandmother.
See also
In Spanish: Evelyn Wever-Croes para niños
