Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Electoral, financial and tax reform, and having an integrity committee of Parliament are amongst the priorities the Democratic Party ((DP)) will champion this year.
In the party's New Year message issued on Sunday, (DP) Leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said the vision of the party is for Parliament to become more in tune with the realities of what is taking place in the community. Parliament should not sit on the government and ministers, but act as an independent controller and scrutinizer of government and its actions.
"This, we understand could lead to criticism, after all, the (DP) was a major player in the governance of this country for a very long time. However, the fact remains that the (DP) will embark on this new role with the same vigour it governed with for the last four years. We will provide vigorous and quality opposition with the goal of defending the interests of all residents and guests of St. Maarten, until such time that the (DP) is afforded the opportunity to lead again. We will keep our ears to the ground, and we wish to remind the population that we are here to serve and be their voice."
She listed the responsibilities of an opposition as being to scrutinise the work of government, ask government to explain its actions, debate proposed laws, work on committees and provide alternatives to government policies.
She said (DP) will achieve these goals with priorities in mind such as electoral, financial and tax reform and an integrity committee of Parliament.
(DP) believes that Parliament should lead by example, put on its agenda issues such as climate change, ageing, flexibility in the labour market, a general pension plan and a tax system to support the creation of new enterprises and the expansion of existing ones.
"We do not need to reinvent the proverbial wheel where our economy is concerned. Recommendations from agencies like the IMF [International Monetary Fund, Ed.] and the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten say it all. We know where the pain is. These recommendations, however, require some bold decisions."
(DP) also plans to tackle issues such as the draft timeshare legislation initiated by "a member of the (DP) fraction in the former Parliament. This will be done in consultation with the government as it makes no sense to double-up on efforts in this regard."
