Eugene Rhuggenaath (born 4 February 1970) is a Curaçaoan politician who served as the eighth prime minister of Curaçao between 29 May 2017 and 14 June 2021. He previously served as the minister for Economic Development in the Koeiman-Cabinet in 2016. He served as a member of the Island Council (2003–2009) and a member of parliament till 2021.
Early life and education Rhuggenaath graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University in 1998, and with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Miami.
Career Rhuggenaath served as Minister of Economic Development from 2015 to 2017, and was Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports in 2020.
Premiership During the 2017 Curaçao general election his party received the most votes. Rhuggenaath was appointed formateur by the governor to form a coalition government.
Rhuggenaath was sworn in as prime minister on 29 May 2017.
On 29 September 2017 Rhuggenaath held a speech calling for more acceptance at the Curaçao Gay Pride, activists called the speech "historical".
The two governments reached an agreement in October 2020 that gave Curaçao more autonomy and power over COVID-19 investments and loans.
Rhuggenaath was elected for parliament in the 2021 Curaçao general election, but relinquished his seat.
Later life Rhuggenaath became chair of the Supervisory Board of the Caribbean Netherlands Pension Fund in 2023. He was selected to replace Koen Davidse as an executive director of the World Bank Group and assumed the office on 1 November 2023.
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