Chairs of Parliament both resign effective immediately

PHILIPSBURG — Both Chairpersons of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams (UD) and MP Claude “Chacho” Peterson (SMCP), have tendered their resignations effective immediately as chairs of Parliament.

“Having learnt of the latest political developments,” MP Wescot-Williams wrote in her resignation letter, “I hereby tender my resignation as Chairperson of Parliament, thanking the members of Parliament for their cooperation during my tenure.”

MP Peterson, who is the 2nd Vice President of Parliament, was quick to also submit his resignation as well. In his resignation letter, MP Peterson wrote: “In light of the new shift in Parliament causing the loss of the majority within the UD/SMCP coalition and the recent resignation of the Chair of Parliament, I hereby tender my resignation as 2nd Vice Chair of Parliament effective immediately.”

As a result of the ruling UD/SMCP coalition, the Presidium of Parliament consisted of MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as President of Parliament, MP Theodore Heyliger (UD) as 1st Vice President and MP Claude “Chacho” Peterson as 2nd Vice President of Parliament. During the closing of the parliamentary year 2018-2019 on Monday, September 9th, 2019, MP Meyers, withdrew his support from the UD/SMCP government and subsequently declared himself an independent member of Parliament. As a result of this, the relationships within Parliament has been in limbo until Sunday, September 22nd 2019, when apparently talks with MP Meyers collapsed and two members of the UD party declared themselves independent and withdrew their support from the UD/SMCP coalition. See related stories.

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Chairs of Parliament both resign effective immediately