Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
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Reaction To Pwc Integrity Report: Dutch Want Criminal Investigation (Into The Government Of St. Maarten)
THE HAGUE – Justice has to initiate a large-scale criminal investigation into the “utterly corrupt†government of Sint Maarten. “The Second Chamber demands this, now that the controversial politician Theo Heyliger is grabbing the absolute power on the island,†the Telegraaf reported yesterday.
A majority of VVD, Socialist Party, CDA and PVV wants action according to the newspaper, after it appears from an investigation by consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers that the complete government apparatus is rife with cronyism Read more
Parliament Takes Vorst Estate Purchase Out Of 2014 Budget
St. Maarten – The Parliament approved a motion to take a $5.5 million provision for the purchase of the Vorst Estate out of an amendment to the 2014 budget with 7 votes to 6. This blocks the purchase of the land, for which Vromi-Minister Maurice Lake signed an agreement in February of this year, but it does not absolve the country of liability towards the Vorst-family, because the Court in First Instance has already ruled that the purchase-agreement Lake signed is a valid one.
The meeting to handle the budget amendment has a long history Read more
Ex-Formateur William Marlin: “Matter Of Time Before We See Another Shiftâ€
St. Maarten – “It is a matter of time before you will see another shift,†former formateur William Marlin said at a press conference yesterday in answer to a question from this newspaper about political instability. “There is not a problem with the system, but there are too many who approach this like, I have my seat and I am going to peddle it to the highest bidder Read more
Mp William Marlin Gives Thoughts On Coalition Of Three
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Former Formatuer, Member of Parliament and leader of the National Alliance, the Honorable William Marlin held a press conference on Sunday.
The reason was to provide the media with information regarding the latest political situation on the island.
Whilst speaking at the press conference on Sunday, Mr Read more
PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin who was appointed formateur by Governor Eugene Holiday to form the next government for 2014 - 2018 finally cleared the air on Sunday at a press conference. Marlin was appointed by the Governor shortly after the August 29th, 2014 Parliamentary Elections when the National Alliance, Democratic Party and the United St Read more
Governor Appoints Marcel Gumbs And Joe Richardson As Informateurs
St. Maarten – Marcel Gumbs and Joe Richardson have been offered and have accepted an assignment to become the informateurs of the new government of St. Maarten that is expected to be formed as a result of an agreement between Cornilus de Weever and the UP party Read more
Statement Minister De Weever: “Let My Work Determine My Contribution To Our Countryâ€
St. Maarten – A “political statement†of 867 words Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labor Cornelius de Weever issued last night makes clear that the counterpart policy was the breaking point that drove him to the decision to take up a seat in Parliament instead of continuing as a minister. The statement does not contain a single reference to his support for the coalition with the United People’s party.
De Weever states that he told Democratic Party leader Sarah Wescot-Williams on Tuesday that he would take up his seat in Parliament Read more
Governor appoints Marcel Gumbs and Joe Richardson as informateurs.
HARBOUR VIEW, Sint Maarten – After the consultations of Thursday September 25th, 2014, His Excellency Governor Eugene B. Holiday met again with the leader of the United People's Party, Mr. Theodore E. Heyliger on Friday to discuss the process to come to the formation of a new government.
Considering the consultations, the results of the August 29, 2014 elections, the developments of the past 4 weeks and the coalition agreement signed by the 7 members of the UP and Mr Read more
Governor Starts New Consultations After End Of Marlin Formation
HARBOUR VIEW, Sint Maarten – On Thursday September 25, 2014, His Excellency Governor Eugene B. Holiday met with the leader of the United People's Party, Mr. Theodore E. Heyliger.
During the meeting Mr. Theodore E. Heyliger presented the Governor a coalition agreement for the period 2014-2018 for the governing of Sint Maarten.
This agreement has been signed by the seven elected members to Parliament of the UPP and elected member to Parliament Mr Read more
Rumors Run Amok In Local Politics: Coalition May Fall Apart With De Weever’S Departure
No Quorum for Budget Debate --- UPP, De Weever, Illidge Absconded.
Ronald Plasterk: “Buying Votes Undermines St. Maarten’S Democratic Characterâ€
THE HAGUE – Socialist Party parliamentarian Ronald van Raak received predictable answers from Minister Ronald Plasterk to his questions about the election fraud trial in St. Maarten. “It is not up to the minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations to comment on court rulings,†the minister wrote, though he also noted that buying and selling votes undermines St. Maarten’s democratic character.
Van Raak posed questions to Plasterk on August 27, two days before the parliamentary elections in St Read more
Governor Holiday At Opening Parliamentary Year: “There Are Real Opportunities For Economic Growthâ€
St. Maarten – Ravel’s Bolero was once more floating through the parliament building yesterday morning ahead of the official opening of the parliamentary year 2014-2015. What stood out apart from the music was the absence of United People’s party leader Theo Heyliger – who had sent notice – and of Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams who was for undisclosed reasons off island.
Other Members of Parliament who passed on the festive occasions were Jules James, who missed his re-election by a mere three votes, Dr Read more
Motion passed to restrict outgoing ministers’ actions
PHILIPSBURG--A motion calling on Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams to inform individual ministers of the Wescot-Williams III Cabinet "to not make any long-term policy, financial and/or decisions of such a nature as granting lands in long lease, bus and taxi licences, concessions, hiring and placement of personnel in crucial functions" was adopted by a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the closing meeting of the 2013-2014 parliamentary year on Monday.
The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin (Democratic Party (DP)) and also signed by six other MPs.
The motion further called on the ministers to refrain from making any decision on the waste-to-energy concession or any other decision "that may obstruct or encumber the incoming government from functioning adequately during the next governing term."
The motion also requested the prime minister to inform the individual ministers who are shareholder's representatives of government-owned companies "to instruct management and boards of these companies to refrain from entering into long-term agreements and sign contracts that may negatively affect or bind these companies for a long term."
The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin after he requested an addition to an agenda of the plenary session of Parliament Read more
Gracita Arrindell Closes Parliamentary Year
St. Maarten – Parliament President Gracita Arrindell closed off the parliamentary year 2013-2014 yesterday morning in a meeting MPs used to express countless thank you’s and also to express their respect for each other. Highlight of the meeting was an initiative by the departing MP Roy Marlin, who tabled a motion that asks the prime minister to “inform†the ministers of her cabinet not to enter into any long-term commitments during their last weeks in office Read more
Parliamentary Year Concludes On Monday With Traditional Speeches
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The parliamentary year for 2013-2014 ended on Monday during a session of the House of Assembly.
The session was carried out by the chairlady of parliament of the United People's Party, the Honorable Gracita Arrindell.
During the parliamentary meeting, parliamentarians took some time to reflect on the last four years, while they took the opportunity to say farewell to their colleagues.
One of those MPs looking back at the four years served was out going Independent Member of Parliament, the Honorable Romain Laville who can now be heard via PodCast.
Leader of the United St Read more
Usp-Candidate Leona Marlin-Romeo: “I Am Not Going Anywhereâ€
St. Maarten – Leona Marlin-Romeo is firmly committed to the United St. Maarten party. During a press conference at the Parliament building yesterday morning, the party’s number 2-candidate laid to rest rumors triggered by a baseless article that appeared on a notorious local gossip website on Thursday.
The website insinuated that Marlin-Romeo had “jumped ship†and taken money to join the United People’s party to form a government.
Marlin thanked blogger Bibi Shaw for the publicity the story has generated, but the sarcasm was lost on Shaw, who later acknowledged the “compliment.†Marlin-Romeo, however pointed out the obvious: “Before you slander my name and the name of my campaign manager I think you should get your facts straight Read more
Us Say's There Is No Alliance With Up Party, Denies Rumors {Updated}
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Many persons are now breathing a sigh of relief, as the United St. Maarten Party held a press conference on Friday to brushed aside what they described as rumors regarding the formation of the next government.
it was on Sunday, three political parties signed an agreement aimed at the formation of the next government for St. Maarten.
The three parties are the National Alliance who received four (4) seats in the parliamentary election, the Democratic Party two (2) seats and the United St Read more
Johan Leonard Squeezes Past Buncamper-Molanus Into Parliament
“Mister 7-UP†sends rival home
St. Maarten – Maria Buncamper-Molanus will not become a member of the new Parliament after all. After the Central Voting Bureau had scrutinized yesterday all the ballots the twenty polling stations had deemed invalid, it found two valid votes that went to Johan Leonard Read more