Questions abound after screening process
The recent screening process for ministerial candidates in the Mercelina cabinet has sparked a whirlwind of questions and concerns about political leadership, transparency, and the efficacy of governance in St. Maarten. As the dust settles, it’s imperative to scrutinize the decisions made and their implications for the island’s future. Dr. More...
Government of Sint Maarten Starts with Vacancies due to Governor’s Intervention
PHILIPSBURG — Today, part of the Mercelina cabinet was sworn in on Sint Maarten. At the beginning of the ceremony, it became clear that Governor Baly has remained adamant in his refusal to install two candidate More...
Debate about screening of candidate-ministers comes back to life
PHILIPSBURG — After every elections the same issue comes up: criticism of the screening of candidate-ministers. Whether this is justified or just sour grapes from candidates that did not make the cut remains More...
Government ignores recommendations to update its prostitution-policy
PHILIPSBURG — St. Maarten structurally ignores recommendation from the Law Enforcement Council. In 2016, the Council issued six recommendation to improve the country’s policies towards prostitution. Seven More...
Nature Policy Plan implementation lags: Minister Doran admits lack of measures to halt unsustainable development
PHILIPSBURG — In a stark revelation, Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure, Egbert Doran, admitted on Wednesday that the St. Maarten government lacks sufficient measures More...
Mercelina gets another deadline for presenting new government
PHILIPSBURG -- Governor Baly has given formateur Dr. Luc Mercelina a new deadline for submitting the composition of his government. Mercelina has to submit his final report by April 26. The reason for the delay More...
Promoters withdraw events from Carnival-venue
PHILIPSBURG -- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is facing a tough contest now that several promoters have withdrawn their Carnival-events from the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village. Minister More...
Cab-drivers oppose introduction of Uber
PHILIPSBURG — Since 2021 the government had never ordered more than 550 plates for taxi licenses but over the past couple of years around 30 percent, or 165, of these plates were not picked up. This mean More...
Draft 2024 budget shows modest surplus
PHILIPSBURG — The draft 2024 budget mentions 572.2 million guilders ($319.7 million) in expenditures and 574.8 million ($321.1 million) in revenue – a modest surplus of around 2 million ($1.1 million). The More...
CFT expresses concerns about future of old age pensions
PHILIPSBURG — Financial supervisor CFT has expressed its concerns about the future of the old age pension (AOW) in St. Maarten. In a press release, the Cft notes that, starting in 2029, premiums will not More...
