PHILIPSBURG:--- In light of recent developments regarding the vetting process for incoming Members of Parliament, the opposition members in Parliament representing the United People’s Party (UP) and the National Alliance (NA) have formally submitted a letter to the President of Parliament, the Honourable Sarah Wescot-Williams, urgently requesting that the vetting of the documents for incoming MPs not be further delayed and that it be handled by Friday this week.

The Honourable Omar E.C. Ottley and the Honourable Silveria Jacobs, faction leaders of the two largest political parties, issued a joint press release on Tuesday afternoon in which they clarified the stance of the "Super Seven” Members of Parliament regarding the delay in vetting the documents for the incoming members of Parliament who will replace Dr Luc Mercelina of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), now Prime Minister and Grisha Heyliger-Marten of the Democratic Party (DP), now Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT).
The letter issued by the UP/NA factions in Parliament requests the urgent handling of the Vetting process to review and accept the credentials of the incoming MPs. The members are also seeking clarity on the resignation of the former MPs who are now members of the Council of Ministers in the Executive Branch of Government.

"Following the Coalition Government's failure to ensure the timely vetting of incoming Parliamentarians' documents, a narrative has emerged suggesting that the Super Seven Members are deliberately delaying this process. It is crucial to emphasize that we are not opposed to performing the administrative duty of vetting the documents of the incoming members of Parliament and welcoming them to the floor of Parliament to commence their service to St. Maarten," the release stated.

The members submitted the letter to Parliament on Tuesday, following Monday's Public Meeting, in which they attempted to voice their concerns regarding the meeting's handling. The release states that the UP/NA members of Parliament will ensure that the work of Parliament continues post haste.
"Our concern lies with the Coalition's failure to ensure that this matter was handled promptly when they still had a majority in Parliament. It is evident that the formation process lacked the transparency our elected officials and the general public have come to expect as a standard and that this may have been, in part, responsible for the creation of the vacuum that was left when the two former members of Parliament resigned before securing their replacement.”
No one should overlook this failure as it shows a lack of experience and proper planning, and the people of St. Maarten deserve to be made aware of this lapse in responsibility explained MP Ottley.
MP Doran added, “I have witnessed firsthand the chaos and lack of transparency within the new coalition. It’s concerning to see the uncertainty within the public. The coalition should be honest with the public instead of playing games within and casting the blame on the NA/UP factions.”
They are requesting that the Public Meeting of Parliament be convened
so that the work for the people of St. Maarten can continue without unnecessary hindrance.
The seven parliamentarians have reiterated their "unwavering commitment" to uphold the principles of democracy and accountability in serving the best interests of the people of St. Maarten.
"We will not falter in this duty. As we navigate through this process, we remain committed to ensuring that the voices of the people, the true backbone of our democracy, are not just heard but also respected and acted upon in Parliament."
The UP/NA factions underscored the significance of a functioning Parliament to support the recently sworn-in Executive Branch of Government and effectively serve the people of St. Maarten and urged that the meeting be convened before Friday May 10, 2024.

PHILIPSBURG:--- New Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Martin, has pointed out that one of her priorities will include the Marketplace.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in by Governor Ajamu on Friday, Heyliger-Marten said, “One of the key areas we definitely have to work on is improving our product.”
“We have allowed the town to degenerate into what some now call a ‘ghetto.’ That is not who we are. We have to reverse that image. Let’s face it, the town needs a facelift,” said Minister Heyliger-Martin.
“There is an urgent need for the beautification of Philipsburg, including the Marketplace, so we can restore it to its past glory. This will receive my full attention,” said the minister, adding, “The image of our island, our tourism product, is everybody’s business.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) expresses profound disappointment with the handling of the credentials of incoming Members of Parliament (MP) in recent parliament proceedings. While recognizing the inherent nature of opposition politics, the URSM underscores that the conduct of political affairs must not compromise the efficient execution of the people's business.

Under Article 45 of the Constitution, Parliament is comprised of 15 members, a legal framework that mandates the filling of vacant seats within the body.

As the law states, when a parliamentarian assumes a ministerial role, their seat is filled by another member from the same political party. This practice is essential for the continuity of our parliamentary system and has been observed in the past, with an expectation for its continuation in the future.

It is imperative to note that failure to fill vacant seats results in non-compliance with Article 45 of the Constitution, rendering Parliament unable to function. Until the credentials of the two members are approved by Parliament and they are sworn in by the Governor, parliamentary proceedings remain stalled. Regrettably, some members outside the coalition are disregarding their oath of office, hindering the functioning of Parliament.

Throughout recent events, including budget meetings and the processing of credentials for incoming MPs, a bipartisan approach has historically fostered effective governance. The URSM emphasizes the importance of upholding such standards to ensure the smooth functioning of democratic processes and the fulfillment of the electorate's mandate.

The board of the URSM is deeply troubled by what appears to be a lack of political maturity among several opposition MPs. It is evident that some individuals are prioritizing the retention of power over honoring the expressed will of the people of St. Maarten as, it pertains to the vetting of the credentials of the 15 members of Parliament. This process is, and should remain a none political issue as evidenced in the outcomes of the last parliamentary election. A good example is the unanimous appointment of the Chair of Parliament.

As advocates for resilient governance and the protection of democratic principles, the URSM calls upon all political actors to prioritize the collective interests of the populace above partisan agendas. Only through constructive collaboration and a commitment to democratic norms can St. Maarten continue its path towards progress and prosperity.

The URSM remains steadfast in its dedication to promoting transparency, accountability, and effective governance for the betterment of St. Maarten and its citizens.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  In an effort to foster greater transparency and operational efficiency, and as part of the onboarding program R.I.S.E. – Leadership Excellence through Relationship Building, Insight, Skills and Empowerment, the Council of Ministers (CoM) had an introductory meeting with the Secretary-General (SG) Platform, of which all Secretaries General of the Ministries form part of.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the necessity of breaking down communication barriers across ministries, the so-called silo approach, to enhance operational transparency and efficiency.
“Our goal is to streamline government activities through better communication, ensuring that all ministries are aligned with the government’s broader objectives,” stated the Prime Minister.
To enhance alignment and synchronization, and a more integrated approach, regular strategic meetings between the Council of Ministers and the SG Platform in the presence of key staff within the cabinet of the Minister as well as the financial controller of the Ministry, will be instituted.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for May 21, aimed at involving the Secretary Generals more deeply in finalizing the Governing Program, which will form the basis in the formulation of the annual action plans and policy strategies for the seven ministries.
This strategy is intended to ensure the SGs are co-owners of the Governing Program, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Prime Minister Mercelina reiterated the government’s commitment to a transparent, effective government that prioritizes the welfare of the nation over individual interests.
“We aim to create a working environment that promotes honesty and integrity in its way of communication,” Prime Minister Mercelina said.
The attending ministers supported this sentiment, and the Secretary Generals expressed that they are looking forward to future collaborative efforts, as expressed during the meeting.