HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG — Considering the results of the January 11, 2024 elections, the information received following the informateur consultations, His Excellency Governor Ajamu G. Baly, LL.M. has requested the leader of the URSM, Mr. Luc Mercelina, to take into consideration an assignment as Formateur.
In that capacity the Governor requested Mr. Mercelina to form a new government which has the support of the parliamentary factions of the four parties that signed the intent to form a coalition on January 13, but is also able to bridge differences with the opposition in parliament to foster political stability and that consists of ministers who are committed to the development and execution of a governing program aimed at the promotion of the wellbeing of Sint Maarten and its people.
The Governor requested the formateur to form a new government and to formulate a government program that is in adherence with the analysis given in the final report of the informateurs of february 2 2024, the priorities for a new government program set by the Governor in his request to the informateurs of january 19 2024 and the political manifestos of the four parties involved.
The Governor further emphasized the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements, including the screening criteria applicable to the appointment for candidate-ministers.
The formateur took the commission into consideration and will keep the Governor informed on a weekly basis during the formation process. The Governor requested Mr. Mercelina to present him the final report of the formation process by March 4, 2024.
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COMMENTARY
From Shipjumper to Formateur to Prime Minister?
From ship jumper to formateur. That describes the political career of Dr. Luc Mercelina, the founder of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM). Governor Ajamu Baly appointed Mercelina as the formateur that has to cobble together a government that has the support of his own party, NOW, DP and PFP.
This seems to be an easy job since the four parties already signed a coalition agreement two days after the January 11 election. The National Alliance (NA) and the United People’s party (UP) will be condemned to the opposition.
The governor asked Mercelina to report weekly about the progress of his efforts. The deadline for his final report is March 4.
Mercelina entered the political arena in 2018 when he was briefly an MP for the United Democrats before switching his allegiance to the UP. That love did not last either because in September 2019 he jumped ship by withdrawing his support for the Romeo-Marlin government by declaring himself independent, together with Chanel Brownbill. In 2022 he founded the URSM.
Whether Mercelina will take on the role of prime minister in a new government remains an open question. To accept that office, the 59-year old would have to give up his profitable profession as a surgeon. If he stays instead in parliament he would not have that problem, so this potentially opens the door for DP-stalwart Sarah Wescot-Williams to return as the leader of a new government.
Ironically, the DP has included in its manifesto that it wants to address the issue of ship jumping.
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Who also became Prime Minister after jumping ship several times?
Read the Upcoming book Cusha Cartoons to find out.
