Philipsburg:--- Three Members of Parliament namely George Pantophlet, Frans Richardson, and Louie Laveist submitted a letter to the Chairman of Parliament dated May 6th, 2013 requesting that he call a meeting to discuss the current political situation on St. Maarten and the reason for the break up of the NA/DP/I-3 Coalition Government. SMN News obtained a copy of the letter that was sent to the President of Parliament Rodolphe Samuel, that letter can be viewed beneath this article.
On Sunday, SMN News reported that the Prime Minister of St. Maarten notified the Leader of the National Alliance who is also the Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin that the two Members of Parliament representing the Democratic Party Faction in Parliament and Independent Member of Parliament Romain Laville have withdrawn their support from the current government. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams informed Marlin on Sunday at the Fish Day celebration on the French side of the island.
On Monday, the Cabinet of the Prime Minister announced in a press release that the Prime Minister confirms receipt of a letter from the three Members of Parliament indicating that they have withdrawn their support from the current government. Wescot Williams also indicated in her press statement that she also received a letter that is "supporting a government based on Items Outlined in a draft declaration." That declaration was not sent to the media.
Prime Minister Wescot-Williams also indicated that the Governor of St. Maarten drs. Eugene Holiday got the same letters and she is expected to meet with the Governor on Monday afternoon on the installation of the third government for the governing period 2010 to 2014.
Below is the press statement from the Cabinet of the Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams.
Prime Minister Wescot-Williams Confirms Receipt of Letter Withdrawing Support From Current Government --- Also Confirms Receipt of Letter Supporting a Government Based on Items Outlined in Draft Declaration.
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams issued a statement yesterday informing the population of the current political developments. The Prime Minister confirmed the receipt of two letters, one confirming that the Government of St. Maarten no longer has political support in Parliament and the second regarding the supporting of the formation of a new Government based on several principles outlined in a draft declaration.
"I hereby confirm receipt of two letters: one by three Members of Parliament, namely by the two Parliamentarians of the DP Faction and Independent Laville expressing the fact that they no longer support the current Council of Ministers. This has as a consequence that the Government, so the Council of Ministers, no longer enjoys Majority Support in Parliament. Secondly, I also acknowledge that I have received a letter by the now majority of eight Members of Parliament consisting of the five members of the UP Faction, two members of the DP Faction and Independent Laville supporting a Government based on certain agreements and principles as outlined in a Draft Declaration. The aforementioned letter was also signed by the two member DP Faction and Independent Laville," stated the Prime Minister.
The PM also confirmed that the Governor His Excellency Eugene Holiday has also received the same correspondence and that on Monday afternoon she would be meeting with the Governor regarding the ongoing political developments."
SMN News learned that the political parties that are planning to take over the leadership of St. Maarten will announce the names of the persons that will form the next cabinet sometime on Monday afternoon.
Population Enraged at Laville --- Radio Listeners described Laville as a spoiled child that cannot be trusted.
Several persons within the community of St. Maarten expressed outrage on Monday during the Lloyd Richardson radio program "View Point". Several persons said that St. Maarten politicians especially Romain Laville cannot be trusted and that if he is part of the formation of another government that government will also not last long because according to one of the callers Laville is a spoiled child. "This Member of Parliament cannot be trusted and when he does not get what he wants or his way he will throw down the government. This foreigner is not looking out for St. Maarten's interest he is looking at his own interest and how much he can benefit." Another caller said that St. Maarten should have laws that would prevent naturalized citizens to be on political lists, she said that it is high time for St. Maarteners to elect its own people and not the foreigners that postulate themselves on political lists.
Other persons that called in on the daily radio program felt that it is time that St. Maarten calls for a new election since it is clear that coalition governments are not working in the interest of St. Maarten and its people. Another well known caller on the radio program said St. Maarten needs to change its electoral laws especially when it comes to campaign funding because only then people would be able to vote by their conscience and not be paid to vote for any particular political party. The caller said that the politicians that are now in government cannot be trusted and the only way new blood can take over is if there are specific laws that would control campaign funds.
SMN News reporter spoke to several persons even Members of Parliament that embraced Laville when he left the United Peoples Party. Some of the MPs said they are in total shock with Laville's action. "We simply cannot trust Laville, this "boy" said so much horrible things about the UP Leader and he went as far as filing a complaint against Theodore Heyliger claiming that Heyliger offered him $350,000.00 as bribe to stay with his party and two weeks later he puts the UP back into government. It is clear that the UP leader has something on Laville because it is impossible for him to say one thing today and do another thing the next day." SMN News learnt that a well known businessman on St. Maarten showed Romaine Laville a video they (UP) have on him and if he rock and roll then that video would be made public just like the famous Bada Bing video.
Political pundits in Philipsburg said that the people of St. Maarten are suffering tremendously especially the pensioners and yet politicians find it fitting to change government every year. "Within a period of four years St. Maarten would have to continue paying members of three cabinets. The government of St. Maarten is still paying the UP/DP Ministers who served for a period of 18 months, and should this government be kicked out of office then the salaries of the outgoing Ministers and the incoming Ministers will be added to the payroll. What is happening to St. Maarten is a bunch of power hungry and greedy people looking for their own interest and not the interest and economical situation of the island."
SMN News will bring you more updates on the political situation on St. Maarten as it unfolds.
Press Release from the UPP Faction, the DP Faction, and Independent Member R. Laville.
The eight members of Parliament who currently hold the majority issued a press statement yesterday explaining the current development in Government. The eight members consisting of the DP Faction, UP Faction, and Independent Member Laville said in a joint statement that the difficult decision that was made to withdraw their support was based on the functioning of the Council of Ministers and some Ministries in particular.
"Regretfully there is a divergence of opinion in the Parliament of St. Maarten regarding how the Council of Ministers operates, and specifically in the way in which some Ministries operate in particular. After brief but intense consultations, it became apparent and clear that there is an understanding in principle between the members of the DP Faction, UP Faction, and Independent Laville, and thus the majority of Parliament, on the direction the country should take in the coming months. This understanding in principle is formulated in a Declaration as presented to the Governor and the Prime Minister on Monday, May 6th 2013. This Declaration, and the contents thereof, will be made public in the coming days," read a statement from the DP/ UP/ Independent Laville Parliament.
The statement continues by explaining that the approach of the previous Government lacked cohesion and professionalism especially when it came to the operation of some Ministries. "In essence it is the feeling of DP/UP/Independent Laville Members of Parliament that there must be a much more cohesive approach coming from the Government of St. Maarten. Policies and plans must be aligned as individual Ministers work on further development of the Country. A cohesive and professional approach towards the myriad of issues confronting our young country is the most pressing concern facing us today," concluded the statement.