SXMElections.com

"Only in St. Maarten," many no doubt will be saying about the most recent political twist since the end-of-August elections. To refresh everyone's memory, originally the coalition was to be NA/DP/(US) party, then UP/De Weever, subsequently UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo/DP, later UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo and now UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo/(US) party.

It seems a bit ironic that United St. Maarten (US) party leader Frans Richardson is now part of the same group he so severely criticised his party's number two candidate and now independent parliamentarian Leona Marlin-Romeo for joining, but it's no secret that politics make strange bedfellows. At the same time, with two of UP's seven fraction members suffering health problems and a third having to deal with legal issues, expanding the support base for the Gumbs cabinet probably was desirable in terms of stability in governing the country.

That may the most significant part of this latest development, besides the (US) party now being responsible for the Justice portfolio. This also could lead in time to a change in accent regarding policy, despite assurances that there are no immediate plans to replace current Minister Dennis Richardson.

The latter is involved in a war of words with The Hague about the proposed Integrity Chamber and other related matters, so some had suggested perhaps another, new person in that function might be in a better position to reach a reasonable compromise with the Dutch. Of course, one has to assume Richardson spoke on behalf of the entire Council of Ministers in Philipsburg, so too much shifting in its position anyhow can't be expected.

It will be interesting to see what impact all this has on the appointment of the two remaining ministers who are to complete the usual team of seven. A word of advice: make sure the candidates are able to pass the same additional screening the Kingdom Government imposed via Governor Eugene Holiday, to prevent even more embarrassing situations especially for those in question.