Philipsburg:--- What was dubbed as a constant rumor since Friday; that the present NA/DP/I-3 coalition government has fallen apparently became a reality on Sunday when the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams informed the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin that the two Members of Parliament representing the Democratic Party and Independent Member of Parliament Romain Laville has withdrawn their support from the current government. Marlin could not be reached on Sunday for a comment on the news he received about the fall of government where he holds the majority seats.
SMN News learnt that Marlin was informed verbally while attending the Fish Day celebrations on the French side of the island but nothing was presented to him in writing. A source close to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten said that Prime Minister Sarah Wescot William did not even know that her two Members of Parliament withdrew their support from the current coalition government prior to Sunday. However, rumors have it that the DP and Laville are in discussion with the United Peoples Party to form a new government. Names of several persons were mentioned claiming these persons will become Ministers in the third government for this governing period.
SMN News was also reliably informed that Member of Parliament Romaine Laville joined forces with the Democratic Party Members of Parliament because he has been a part of the Democratic Party Youth wing for a number of years now. The source said that Laville wants to become a Minister because he feels he can do more work for the people of St. Maarten than those currently holding Ministerial positions. One of the portfolios the source said Laville wanted is Education because his dream is to send St. Maarten students to Dominica to further their education rather than the USA and the Netherlands. SMN News contacted Laville on Friday evening for a comment on the rumors and he was asked if he pulled his support from the current coalition. Laville said that he will always remain an Independent Member of Parliament. Laville also said that the present political situation is affecting his parents because his name is always called in scandals. However, MP Laville never denied pulling his support from the current coalition government and while his name is called constantly during the past days he cannot be reached by phone for a comment. Laville did not confirm any of the above statements when he was asked about them.
The only thing MP Laville said is that he is the only child for his parents and the political situation is affecting them, since then Laville could not be reached for further comments.
SMN News also learnt that Laville is constantly at rift with the Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin because he is constantly demanding that certain things be done the way he sees fit. One of the things Laville demanded was that the Government of St. Maarten invest $400,000.00 in TEMPO which turned out to be a loss for the country.
SMN News further learnt that the politicians are now discussing different strategies since one of the options for the island is to call for early elections. Certain politicians contacted persons on the French side of the island that has dual nationalities to see if they were interested in going on a list.
SMN News dispatched an email to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten on Sunday requesting that she provide information on the rumors but up to the time this article is published the Prime Minister did not respond to the email.
Below is the email that was sent to Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams on Sunday. SMN News will bring you an update as soon as more information becomes available.
Dear Madame Prime Minister Wescot-Williams,
During the past days the island and its people are bombarded with rumours and Blackberry messages claiming that the current coalition government namely NA/DP/I-3 have fallen and negotiations are currently taking place between the DP/UP with MP Laville.
I have heard that Laville has decided to join the DP camp since he was part of the Democratic Party Youth wing. I personally contacted MP Laville on Friday and he said his name is always being called. He also stated that he will always remain an Independent MP ever since then Laville cannot be reached even though his name is called constantly. MP Patrick Illidge denied having anything to do with any discussions taking place now and so did MP Frans Richardson.
Since the DP was part of the former coalition and also part of this coalition I am contacting you for a statement as Leader of the Democratic Party and also as Prime Minister of St. Maarten. The constant rumours has caused some sort of instability within the community therefore I think it is only fitting for the Prime Minister who is the Leader of the DP to say whether or not her party is currently involved in any type of political discussions to form a new government.
If this is the case can you also explain the reasons behind the possible break up of this government? And if the former coalition was doing a better job why was it broken in the first place a year ago?
Can St. Maarten afford to damage its credibility with having 3 governments in one governing period? Would this not place St. Maarten in a awkward position and allow possible higher supervision or an instruction be given to the island by the Dutch?
Can St. Maarten afford to pay 3 sets of Ministers now when the island is in an economical crisis especially knowing that the CFT is not too pleased with the 2013 budget and the amount of cuts that had to be made before they approved the 2013 budget?
During the budget debate two weeks ago it was clear that the DP MPs were having problems with the budget and it took a long time for you to get your MPs to vote in favour of the 2013 budget while MP Roy Marlin voted against the Justice Park... A project that was approved by the former Council of Ministers and this Council of Ministers. It is clear since last November that the DP, MPs are having some problems with the coalition. This could be seen during the Parliamentary and Central Committee meetings. Therefore, if my assumption is incorrect I am asking that you make some clarifications.
I took the time to send you all this information while formulating my questions to you in order for you to send me a response as soon as possible.
