Philipsburg:--- On Tuesday 8th May, 2012 at approximately five in the afternoon the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams personally handed in her Cabinet's resignation to the Governor of St. Maarten Drs. Eugene Holiday. The Prime Minister handed in her Cabinet's resignation after having received the official resignation of the four UP members Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger, Minister Hiro Shigemoto, Minister Rhoda Arrindell, and Minister Franklin Meyers as well as the signatures of Minister Roland Duncan and Minister Cornelius de Weever. The official letter indicating the Prime Minister's resignation will also be forwarded to the Parliament of St. Maarten.
In comments earlier this week, the Prime Minister stated that as Prime Minister of this country and leader of the Democratic Party it is her pledge that as formal discussions regarding the next government for our country St. Maarten begins, it is those who have taken the responsibility of governing that must now truly lead by example, an example of unity amongst all of our people. The Prime Minister further stressed that new elections should be in her opinion, a last resort. "If certain laws are not amended or further worked out, dissolving Parliament and calling for new elections will only be a solution until the next political disagreement," commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
"While politics will be politics, it is for the sake of all of our people that we do not have the luxury to draw political divides across our country. This is a first for country St. Maarten and I believe it is my duty, especially at this present moment, to ensure that the foundation that is laid for future generations," concluded the Prime Minister.
Press Release from His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday.
Resignation of current government and start of Consultations.
Harbour View:--- On Tuesday May 8, 2012 Prime Minister Wescot-Williams presented His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, a letter dated May 8, 2012, making the portfolios of the Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary available and tendering the resignation of her entire Cabinet.
The Governor informed the Prime-Minister that he will consider her request. He called upon the Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary to continue their duties in the interest of Sint Maarten and to continue working with him until a decision has been taken concerning the request for resignation.
The Governor decided to start consultations, directly following the request for resignation, in order to arrive at the formation of a new Cabinet. The consultations will take place on May 9 and 10 with the Vice-Chairperson of the Advisory Council, the President of Parliament, and the leaders of all the political parties who have a seat in Parliament.
