SXMElections.com

Little more has been heard about the installation of a new government since “formateur” Theodore Heyliger presented a list of proposed ministers to Governor Eugene Holiday on Wednesday, November 12. Twelve days have passed since, during which the “vetting” of candidates began, and some are starting to wonder whether something might be wrong.

Officially the process is being conducted based on the country’s existing judicial and security screening regulations instead of the far-reaching approach with input from the Netherlands instructed by the Kingdom Council of Ministers. However, mention was made of “some additional questions seeking more information.”

The procedure normally takes two to three weeks, but the final formation report is due November 30. That date falls on a Sunday, so some clarity probably can be expected by the end of this workweek on Friday, November 28.

It is important not to let this matter drag on much longer, because it has been almost three months since voters went to the polls and elected their Parliament for a four-year term. The incoming UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo coalition with nine out of 15 seats has a democratic majority, so barring any major issues cabinet members should be appointed as quickly as possible to get on with the task of governing St. Maarten.

The tourism season has practically arrived, while the 2015 budget is already overdue. It’s obviously preferable to have the next Council of Ministers rather than the current one with a caretaker status deal with the latter, but there is also a December 15 deadline for its approval by both the legislature and the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT).

Unless any serious objections to the names submitted come up, the Gumbs cabinet I must be allowed to take office quickly and do its job on behalf of the people, sooner rather than later. Enough is enough.