Philipsburg:--- The Members of Parliament from the National Alliance and the Independent Members were engaged in several meetings these past days to form a government. Up to late Tuesday evening, the members of the National Alliance were still in meetings while the Democratic Party met with their members at the Culture Center in Philipsburg.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin began meeting with various MP's to seal an agreement to form "Team St. Maarten." The meetings started after MPs Frans Richardson, Patrick Illidge, and Romaine La Ville made their intentions known during the Calypso finals Friday night. According to information confirmed to SMN News, the three MPs signed a political agreement with the National Alliance on Saturday evening while the National Alliance Leader William Marlin met with the DP faction namely Petrus Leroy de Weever on Sunday to see whether or not the Democratic Party faction was interested in supporting the new coalition.
SMN News further learnt that the Democratic Party has agreed to join the new coalition and the Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot-Williams will remain the Prime Minister of St. Maarten while Cornelius de Weever will remain in office as the Minister of Health and Labour.
Sources close to the National Alliance said that Member of Parliament Frans Richardson has appointed Romeo Pantophlet to be the Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, while Roland Tuitt will be appointed by the National Alliance as the Minister of Finance. The National Alliance will also appoint Silveria Jacobs as the Minister of Education while the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin will vacate his seat in Parliament to become the Deputy Prime Minister that will hold the VROMI portfolios and be the Minister in charge of all government owned companies. It is further understood that Minister of Justice Roland Duncan will remain in office as he was appointed by MP Patrick Illidge. According to reliable sources, Rudolph Samuel will take the seat vacated by the leader of the National Alliance in Parliament and Samuel will become the next chairman of Parliament when Gracita Arrindell's term is up in September, while the other Members of Parliament who are supporting the newly formed coalition will remain in Parliament. It is understood that Heneretta Doran York will be appointed Deputy Minister of Pleni-Potentiary.
SMN News also learnt that leader of the United People's Party Theodore Heyliger is trying to secure a seat in Parliament by kicking out Johan Janchi Leonard. So far, the UP leader has not made any announcements about the fall of his government and the reasons why Member of Parliament Romain La Ville left the UP faction.
Late Tuesday evening, Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin stated in a press release that a new government has been formed and Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams and Governor Eugene Holiday have been notified.
Below is the press release from Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin.
Formation of a new government for St. Maarten.
On April 30th, 2012, four members of Parliament, MP Romain Laville, MP Patrick Illidge, MP Roy Marlin, and MP Petrus Leroy de Weever, signed a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Honourable Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, informing her that with immediate effect they are withdrawing their support from the government of St. Maarten.
Immediately following that, another letter was signed off on, this time by MPs Romain Laville, Patrick Illidge, Roy Marlin, Petrus Leroy de Weever, Frans Richardson, and William Marlin, on behalf of the National Alliance, representing 5 seats.
This letter, addressed to the Honourable Governor of St. Maarten, Drs. Eugene Holiday, states, that the undersigned members of Parliament of Sint Maarten representing a majority of 10 seats in the Parliament of Sint Maarten, hereby inform that they are prepared to form a new government of Sint Maarten as soon as possible and give that government their support for the remainder of the governing period, 2010 – 2014.
The letter, which was copied to the Prime Minister, further states, that in view of the above, we also request you to ensure that the present caretaker government does not sign off on any decisions with major financial, governmental and political consequences.
On Tuesday evening, the new coalition partners met once again to discuss the division of political responsibilities and signed on to the following:
The National Alliance:
The Minister of VROMI - Deputy Prime Minister.
Minister of Finance
Minister of Education
Deputy Minister Pleni-Potentiary
Chairman of Parliament
The Democratic Party:
Minister of General Affairs – Prime Minister
Minister of Public Health & Labour
Minister Pleni-Potentiary
2nd Vice Chair of Parliament
Independent Member Patrick Illidge:
Minister of Justice
Independent Members Frans Richardson and Romain Laville:
Minister of Economic Affairs (Jointly)
Independent Member Romain Laville:
Deputy Chairman of Parliament
