Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
It appears the incoming UP/DP/Marlin-Romeo coalition plans to fight tooth and nail the instruction by the Kingdom Council of Ministers regarding the screening of nominees to become minister. Today's Parliament meeting probably will lead to some type of action in that sense.
It will be interesting to see what position the prospective opposition fractions take in this matter. After all, an agreement between party leaders for a NA/DP/US Party government already had been signed, only for DP candidate De Weever to "jump ship" and form a different coalition with the UP party, later joined by US Party parliamentarian Leona Marlin-Romeo and DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams.
On the other hand, both NA leader William Marlin and US Party leader Frans Richardson no doubt understand that the same thing conceivably could happen to them should they be part of a formation process, as simply accepting this latest move by The Hague would set a precedent. So, while they may not agree with the way the incoming UP-led coalition was established, the possible long-term consequences probably also will play a part in their decision.
The fact is that a unanimous stance always makes more of an impression, because it usually indicates that a certain issue has been elevated above party politics. For example, a motion supported by all members of the legislature is therefore harder to ignore than one that is adopted by just a majority.
Other than protesting and urgently calling for a kingdom dispute arrangement with the backing of Curaçao and Aruba, the question is what counter-steps can be taken. Filing a complaint with the Decolonisation Committee of the United Nations (UN) as was done by Will Johnson of Saba and the late Betico Croes of Aruba in the past is certainly an option, although the immediate effects of such may be limited. Still, having to at least defend its approach at the international level probably is not an attractive prospect for the Dutch Government.
One thing that should not be done hastily is to play the so-called "independence card." Severing ties with the Netherlands isn't something one ought to discuss based on emotions of the moment, but rather after careful consideration of all the pros as well as cons for the population of both today and tomorrow. It also must be kept in mind that a large majority voted to remain within the kingdom in two separate constitutional referenda.
This crisis undoubtedly will pass sooner or later, but the most recent developments between the European and Caribbean parts of the kingdom don't bode well for the current structure's long-term sustainability. Without a better understanding between the politicians on either side of the ocean, one has to fear for its future.
