PHILIPSBURG — The revised national decree of May 27 that sets the date for the parliamentary elections at August 19 contains a painful omission: the deadline for the registration of political parties. The now contested decree states: “The government had taken into account the possibility for political parties to register and to abide by the stipulations as prescribed in the Electoral Law.” It sounds good but there is one problem: it cannot be correct. The Electoral Law states that the deadline for political parties to register is six weeks before the date of Postulation Day. The national decree of May…
Author: The Publisher
By Hilbert Haar There are two reasons for putting an inmate at the Pointe Blanche prison in an isolation cell: because of serious misbehavior or for his (or her) own protection. Currently we do not know which one of these motives applies because the investigation into the beating that landed an inmate in hospital is ongoing. Read related story here: Inmate in isolation cell beaten and hospitalized There is no doubt, as Justice Minister Lewis suspects, that corruption plays a role in this unsavory incident. It does not take much to bribe a prison guard and it is probably even…
PHILIPSBURG — An inmate held in an isolation cell at the Pointe Blanche prison was so severely beaten by two assailants that he had to be hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Justice Minister Lyndon Lewis was quoted during the Council of Minister’s press briefing on Wednesday, May 29, as saying that the assailants wore khaki uniforms, suggesting that the attack must have been the work of other inmates. The identity of the victim had not been revealed and the motive for the attack is unknown. Minister Lewis reported the attack during his first appearance at a Council…
Dear Editor, The recent events surrounding the government formation process in St. Maarten warrant a thorough and critical analysis. Here’s a timeline of events that highlight the complexities and challenges faced, which the public needs to scrutinize. On January 13, 2024, the 2×4 coalition agreement was signed, a mere two days after the elections. The Governor then appointed Dr. Luc Mercelina as formateur on January 15, 2024. By February 10, 2024, the new members of Parliament were sworn in with a new majority, setting the stage for the formation of the government. On January 18, 2024, the Governor appointed Dr.…
PHILIPSBURG — Beginning on Monday June 3, eligible voters in St. Maarten will be able to cast their vote in the elections for the European parliament. The possibility to cast a vote ends on Thursday, June 6, at 3 p.m. local time. The voting bureau is established at the office of the Dutch Representative, on Front Street 26 in Philipsburg. Voters must present a valid Dutch ID as well as a copy of it. ID’s that expired after April 23, 2024 are not acceptable. The copy of the ID will be attached to the ballot. The Unit Elections of the…
In the midst of political debates and legislative complexities surrounding the use of Article 59 of the Constitution of St. Maarten, it’s crucial to remember the core concerns of the average voter. A statement provided by a StMaartenNews.com reader highlights a significant disconnect between political, legal, constitutional and intellectual discourse and the daily struggles of the common person. — “You guys know that people are not interested in this debate. The regular local man on the street, the people who actually go to the vote – except for a few elites – you know that they’re not interested in these…
PHILIPSBURG — “I was never part of the recruitment of Kevin (Maingrette) or any other member of parliament,” National Alliance MP Silveria Jacobs said during an interview on Radio 101.5 FM on Monday, May 27. The former prime minister discussed in the interview political developments after the fall of the Mercelina government and the call for new elections that are now scheduled to take place on August 19. See related story… Jacobs noted that her party was in a government with the United People’s party (UP) for four years. “This country has been crying for stability,” she said. “During two…
PHILIPSBURG — The Pro Soualiga Foundation presented a third way to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and the Central Voting Bureau chairlady Natahlie Tackling to solve the conflict between article 59 of the Constitution and two electoral laws. Article 59 states that the new Parliament must be seated within three months after the call for new elections, but if the government wants to adhere to the terms established in electoral laws this is not possible. The government has in the meantime found a way out, citing exceptional circumstances, that justifies exceeding the three-month term. See related news: Elections postponed until…
PHILIPSBURG — In consultation with Acting Governor Emily Bird-Lake, the government has postponed the elections for a new parliament from July 19 until August 19. Postulation Day is now set for July 2 and the new parliament will be seated on September 20, while the current parliament will be dissolved on the same date. In a national decree dated May 27, the Acting Governor and the Prime Minister motivate their decision to change the dates that were established in a decree dated May 21. They quote the concerns expressed by the Central Voting Bureau (CVB) in a letter dated May…
GREAT BAY (May 27, 2024)—The process of the transfer of land from the Princess Juliana International Airport Holding company (PJIAH) to the government for the construction of the Weather Bureau and Civil Aviation buildings has been set in motion, following discussions between Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications Grisha Heyliger-Marten and PJIAH management. The land transfer issue has been pending for almost a decade, resulting in increasing rental expenses for government. The land in question measures some 1,200 square meters at the location of the Air Traffic Control Tower. “One of the reasons the Met Office and Civil…
