Nelson Oduber
Quick Facts
Biography
Nelson Orlando Oduber (born February 7, 1947) was the Prime Minister of Aruba. He was a member of the Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (People's Electoral Movement). He was prime minister for the first time from 1989 until 1994, when his party lost parliamentary elections, and was prime minister again from 2001 until 2009. He led the MEP to victory in the 2001 and 2005 Estates elections, the first consecutive election victories since Aruban status aparte in 1986.
In the general elections for seats in the Seventh Estates held on 25 September 2009, Prime Minister Oduber's People's Electoral Movement lost its majority for the first time in eight years. His party (MEP) lost the majority to the largest opposition party on the island. He was succeeded by the leader of the Aruban People's Party (AVP) and the now incumbent Prime Minister Mike Eman. Oduber's term ended on October 30, 2009.
Oduber has recently announced that he will not lead the opposition in the parliament, meaning that he will not take the position of member of parliament but will remain leader of his party. He wanted a new candidate in his place.