Born in Sint Maarten and raised in Aruba, Misha learned from a young age that her vocation was to serve others, especially children. “I grew up with my mother, my two siblings, and a foster sibling in Madiki in a modest home. We are a united family. I always grew up around art and literature, watching my mother write books. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a psychologist. As a child, I witnessed domestic violence, and that made me want to become a professional who could help children going through difficult situations. I earned my master’s in Clinical Neuropsychology for children.” As a psychologist, she has dedicated her life to helping families and children facing difficult situations, including trauma and developmental challenges. She has now brought the same dedication to politics.

Misha says she never aspired to enter politics, but witnessing the number of Aruban families who had to leave the island to seek better care for their children abroad motivated her to take this step. With a passion for equal rights and improving the quality of life for senior citizens, Misha joined the RAIZ party, which she views as a sustainable and innovative movement. “RAIZ doesn’t follow the old path of stickers and banners but focuses more on content and changes that impact the people,” she explains. “I feel this is an important development for our political atmosphere; considering the environment while also giving our people the space to have their political colors privately. RAIZ as a party stands for many points that I also stand for, including equal rights, children's rights, democratic values, and the dedication to improving the quality of life for our seniors.”

“I believe that when you don’t follow other politicians’ agendas, you are labeled as difficult. We all swore to be parliamentarians, representatives of the people, not representatives of our own interests or those of a party. I am not difficult, but I express my opinion, stand up for what I believe in, and fight for what I think should receive urgent attention. This doesn’t make every politician happy, but I didn’t enter politics to make friends. I’m here to push for necessary changes. No one will fight for something they believe in as passionately as you will yourself.”

“I believe the government fell because the largest party in the coalition could no longer control the presidency of Parliament and did not want to lose face. Parliament must function independently of the government, which means that the government should not have fallen because of a decision in Parliament. Our coalition partner claimed that we from RAIZ broke the governance agreement because we didn’t re-elect their candidate as President of Parliament. That’s not true. It was a political agreement that the presidency of Parliament would belong to the ‘yellow signature’. At no time was there a specific name attached to this political agreement. Neither should it have been the case that this agreement served as a ‘free pass’ to break rules and still demand that we, as parliamentarians, re-elect the same person. Ironically, there were other political agreements that our coalition partner themselves did not hold up to. For example, not obstructing the treatment of the initiative law to open marriage for same-sex couples. Structurally, the former President of Parliament served the interests of his faction and party, using the powers and authority of the presidency. In all fairness, we requested our coalition partner for another candidate, and they said no because they didn’t want to lose face.”

“We from RAIZ couldn’t continue to support the President of Parliament, Mr. Vrolijk, especially because before addressing the same-sex marriage law, he wanted to change the voting process in Parliament. A change that went against our constitution.”

What are the Most Important Issues for this Election?

The cost of living is an issue that affects everyone. Inflation had a significant impact on living costs, but we must refocus on how to reduce this. Tax incentives, price control in supermarkets, salary adjustments—these are some of the developments that need to happen. A more sustainable life, without solely relying on government management, is also important. Growing our own produce, more affordable prices for solar panel installations, a recycling system starting in every household—these are some urgent measures that can be implemented to move toward a more sustainable life. More attention to equal opportunities in all aspects. From the position of our children with fewer resources to advance, to how the government grants permits.

To all young people voting for the first time, your participation in the direction of your country is of utmost importance. Politics shapes the path your life takes, and your participation, your vote, is an essential part of that direction.”