Dear Editor, In the Dutch/European system of politics that incentivizes large number of political parties, it is common and maybe even inevitable that governments have to be formed by coalitions. For the coalitions to be effective it is best that each party have a clear platform so that when the coalition is formed then the coalition members can bargain with other parties, on the basis of the number of seats achieved, how much they have to compromise on their platform in order to participate in a coalition. Without a clear platform, coalitions are likely to be totally driven by the…
Author: The Publisher
ORANJESTAD – Venezuela unilaterally stopped all air and sea traffic with the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) for 72 hours, CaribischNetwerk reported on its website on Saturday. On Aruba this measure by the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is immediately noticeable. Venezuelans have the greatest difficulty to fly back home and local retailers are preparing for expensive purchase of vegetables and fruit elsewhere. Maduro said on Friday on Telesur, the state-owned tv station in Venezuela, that he stopped commercial traffic with the ABC islands because of the “smuggling of goods from the country by mafia on the islands.” The current,…
Philipsburg — The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation is suggesting that the community wears facemasks in order to protect themselves from the fumes caused by the ongoing fires at the Philipsburg Landfill, and will make 100 masks freely available to the community towards this end. “The fire at the landfill has been burning for over a month now resulting in significant negative health effects affecting the community and visitors alike. As we still wait for action to occur regarding the management of our solid waste issues we encourage that especially expectant mothers and those with a weakened immune system wear facemasks…
PHILIPSBURG – It is hard to say whose support was more impressive – that of the newly formed United Democrats (UD) or that of the National Alliance (NA) – during Nomination Day for the February 26 elections at the parliament building in Philipsburg. Both parties filled up the legislative hall with candidates and supporters, far more than the modestly supported United St. Maarten party (USp), the St. Maarten development Movement (SDM), the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) and the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA). Ninety-three candidates will contest the elections and only two parties presented a full slate with the maximum…
By Hilbert Haar The February 26 elections will see the rise of a new political powerhouse if the numbers stmaartennews.com analyzed are any indication. The merger of Theo Heyliger’s United People’s party with the Democratic Party into the United Democrats seems to open the door for the one-party rule Heyliger has always thought to be the best solution for the island. The UP won the 2016 elections with 4,130 votes, ahead of the 3,778 votes of the National Alliance and leaving the United St. Maarten party (2,784 votes) and the Democratic Party (1,813 votes) to pick up the crumbs. But…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Holland America Line (HAL), is scheduled to return to the destination on Saturday, January 6, with the cruise ship ms Koningsdam. HAL is another cruise line that is showing its commitment to the destination by returning after St. Maarten demonstrated back in December that it is open for business. Holland America Line plans to call in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, once more with Koningsdam on March 10, as well as six times with ms Eurodam and once with ms Nieuw Amsterdam this season. ms Eurodam begins calling at the destination on January 11 and ms Nieuw Amsterdam…
There are significant differences between countries in the way in which the Legislative and the Executive Branches are elected and structured. There are three main groups of democratic systems. A Presidential system A Semi-Presidential system A Parliamentary system The Presidential System The separation between legislative and executive powers translates in some countries into separate elections for both branches. For example, in the United States not only Parliament is elected by the people but also the President. The President then has his/her own power base. He/she may select a Government which does not depend on a majority in the Parliament. The…
Philipsburg — The Sint Maarten police force held a farewell ceremony for the first team Dutch colleagues on Thursday morning at the Philipsburg police station. This first team, most of who were stationed on the island for 4 months since the passing of major Hurricane Irma, participated in the ceremony by marching and saluting our local officers. A second team who will replace the departing colleagues has already arrived on the island and will be sworn in within short. Words of gratitude and encouragement were expressed by chief commissioner Carl John and Dutch commander John van de Hering. At the…
Philipsburg — A suspect with the initials J.M.H born in Jamaica, who has been sought by police for some time, was arrested last night during a routine traffic control. The suspect who managed to evade police dropped a firearm on the ground during a foot pursuit a few weeks ago. The suspect is a person of interest in several cases of armed robbery. The investigation is in full swing.
Simpson Bay — On Thursday January 4th at around 9.00 am, the police central dispatch received a call from the local coast guard, that an incident had taken place onboard a vessel anchored in the Simpson Bay lagoon, that left at least one person seriously injured. Upon arrival of the patrols that were transported by one of the RHIBS to the anchored vessel, detectives found traces of blood and other signs indicating that violence was used throughout the vessel, along with a weapon. The captain with the initials E.K.A.B was found earlier by coast guard personnel, badly beaten and was…
