Kralendijk- Former commissioner Clark Abraham (PDB) is back as member of the Bonaire Island Council. Abraham replaces councilman Michael Pieters, who withdrew from the 3-person fraction of PDB, citing tensions with fraction-leader Robby Beukenboom.

Observers however expect tensions in the fraction to remain as is, or even get worse with the joining of Abraham. It is no secret that Abraham and Beukenboom have strongly different thoughts about a number of things. On the other hand, all members of the fraction are seen as more critical in respect to the current status of Bonaire as public entity under the Dutch Constitution. The PDB was one of the driving forces behind the referendum of December 2015, in which about three quarters of the voting population indicated not being in agreement with the way the “direct ties” with Holland have been given content after 2010.

Abraham was the biggest vote-getter in the elections for the Island Council on March 18, 2015, with a total of 1288 personal votes, more than enough for a seat in the Council.