MARIGOT:--- President Louis Mussington’s Rassemblement Saint-Martinois Alternative (RSMA) has lost its majority in Saint-Martin’s Territorial Council, leaving his administration facing greater difficulty securing support for its agenda.
At least five members of the majority, namely Annick Pétrus, Martine Beldor, Valérie Fonrose, Raphaël Sanchez and Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine, have left the group. Their departures reduce its membership from 16 following the March 2022 elections to 11 in the 23-member council.
The report describes tensions that intensified during the senatorial election, including disagreements over candidate support and accusations of insufficient loyalty and transparency.
The split raises questions about Mussington’s ability to advance major proposals. A framework for tax reform received only 11 supporting votes at the latest plenary meeting, illustrating the challenges already confronting the administration.
Attendance could also become a pressure point if councilors’ absences prevent meetings from reaching quorum.
The immediate political challenge is securing support beyond the remaining RSMA members. Losing the group’s majority does not mean Mussington has lost the presidency, but it shifts the balance of power within the council.