Between 9:30am and 9:55am, His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday and entourage will arrive. The Governor will inspect the uniform troops comprising of the St. Maarten Police, the St. Maarten Voluntary Corps and the Marines.
At 9:55am President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell will enter the House of Parliament followed by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
At 10:00am the President of Parliament will open the ceremonial meeting and welcome everybody in attendance. After observing a moment of silence, the President will appoint a Reception and Departure Committee. Thereafter the meeting will be adjourned.
Members of the Reception/Departure Committee will proceed to the entrance of the House of Parliament and wait for the arrival of His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday and his entourage.
After the Governor and his entourage enter the House of Parliament's General Assembly Chamber, the President of Parliament welcomes His Excellency.
Governor Eugene Holiday then proceeds to deliver the annual state of the nation address which is the Governments Governing Program for the new parliamentary year.
After a national address of approximately 30 minutes, the President thanks His Excellency the Governor and declares the new parliamentary year 2011-2012 officially open.
The Governor and his entourage leave the General Assembly Chamber under the escort of the Reception/Departure Committee.
Upon the return of the Reception/Departure Committee to the General Assembly Chamber, the President of Parliament formally closes the ceremonial opening of the new parliamentary year.
The President of Parliament and the Prime Minister join the Governor and his entourage and proceed to the Wilhelmina Straat to view the military parade along with Members of Parliament, the Council of Ministers and invited guests.
After the parade, the invitees proceed to Sheer Restaurant for a reception party hosted by the President of Parliament on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the new parliamentary year.
The opening ceremony of the new parliamentary year will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20 from 9:30am on Tuesday. It will also be carried live on radio and via the internet on parliament's website: www.sxmparliament.org
The Clem Labega Square paid-parking lot will be closed early on Tuesday morning until 2:00pm. The lot will be used to provide parking for the dignitaries who will be attending the ceremonial opening of the new parliament year.
