Current political situation update; Elections set for Monday, November 25, 2019
Harbour View – On September 9, 2019, Member of Parliament Mr. Franklin Meyers withdrew his support from the UD/SMCP government and subsequently declared himself an independent Member of Parliament. His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, immediately convened meetings with the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Mr. Franklin Meyers on the same day to discuss the political developments. Governor Holiday also held meetings with Chairlady of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams of the UD, NA Fraction Leader Ms Silveria Jacobs, USP Fraction Leader, Mr. Rolando Brison and SMCP fraction leader, Mr. Claude Peterson.
On Sunday September 22, 2019, Governor Holiday received a Governing Accord dated September 21, 2019, regarding an agreement in principle on the formation of the next government of Sint Maarten from Ms. Silveria Jacobs. The accord has been signed by nine (9) members of Parliament, the five (5) NA fraction members, the two (2) USP fraction members, independent member Mr. Luc Mercelina and independent member Chanel Brownbill. A copy of the Accord has been forwarded to the Chairperson of Parliament and the Prime Minister for their information.
Elections set for Monday, November 25, 2019
On Monday morning September 23, 2019, Governor Holiday held a meeting with Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin in which he was apprised of the decision of the Council of Ministers to invoke article 59 of the constitution to dissolve Parliament and call new elections. The Prime Minister therefore submitted a draft national decree which calls for elections to be held on Monday, November 25, 2019 and for the new parliament to convene on December 23, 2019. Prime-Minister Romeo-Marlin also made the portfolios of the Ministers, the Minister Plenipotentiary and the deputy Minister Plenipotentiary available. Governor Holiday, after review, ratified the draft dissolution decree in keeping with the constitution and took the resignation request into consideration. He called upon the Ministers, the Minister Plenipotentiary and the Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary to continue their duties in the interest of Sint Maarten and to continue working with him until a decision has been taken concerning their request for resignation.
Governor Holiday has decided, considering the political developments, to start consultations, to establish the feasibility for the formation of a next government. The consultations will take place on September 24 and 25, 2019.
Photo: File photo of first meeting of the Leona Romeo-Marlin II cabinet on January 15, 2018.
