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Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, colleagues and dear friends on the passing of former member of the National Alliance and leader of the Social Reform Party Mr. Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United People’s Party (UP) has condemned the call by the Prime Minister and Leader of the National Alliance, William Marlin, to call an election on January 8th, 2018.
“An election now on St Read more

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HARBOUR VIEW:--- On November 7, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the United Peoples Party, Mr. Franklin Meyers, to form an interim government as formateur.
The Governor held consultations between November 3 and 6, 2017 with the leaders of the political parties that hold seats in Parliament, (the United Peoples Party, the National Alliance, the United St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Information reaching SMN News states that Prime Minister of St. Maarten and Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin will submit a Ministeriële Beschikking (MB) to the governor to as early as tomorrow to dissolve the Parliament of St Read more

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Antigua Pm Rejects Call For Fixed Date For General Election

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has brushed aside suggestions from a minority opposition party here calling for a fixed date for general elections in Antigua and Barbuda.

“Any constitutional change that my government will pursue, must be driven by the masses and not by political opponents. Our political opponents do not have the level of maturity and sophistication to pursue constitutional changes in a non-partisan manner, in the interest of the state,” Browne said.

Last week, opposition legislator Joanne Massiah, the leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) responding to an earlier statement by Browne that the polls “will come like a thief in the night” said that general elections here should be held on a fixed date.

“The DNA is fully committed to doing away with this concept of a prime minister having exclusive determination as to when an election is called,” Massiah said, adding “we want elections to be fixed so that the people will know that the elections are due every five years and in March, April, May, June or whatever the month is elections are due”.

Browne told the newspaper that based on the fallout and eventual non-support from the opposition for the referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), he does not believe his opponents would be committed to pursuing this other matter that’s equally important.

“This was clearly demonstrated by the political games that were played leading up to the aborted CCJ referendum Read more

PHILIPSBURG--With the retention of the Dutch passport weighing heavily in debates about St. Maarten going independent, National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet has come up with a proposal to satisfy both sides of the fence – independence from the Netherlands, but an agreement for the newly independent country to continue using the Dutch passport for 150 years Read more

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Polls Closed, Counting Begins In Bahamas General Elections

NASSAU, Bahamas – The polls have closed and Bahamians are now awaiting the results of the 2017 General Elections.

Prime Minister Perry G. Christie is trying to lead his Progressive Liberal Party to a second consecutive five-year term in office.

Voters today choose between Christie’s governing PLP or reviving the main opposition,

the Free National Movement (FNM), which had been in power before Christie’s government took over in 2012.

A third party, the Democratic Read more

Prime Minister William Marlin’S Condolence Message On The Passing Of Joyce Daniel-Romney.

BEIJING:--- As my working visit to Beijing, China continues, it is with a deep sense of loss that I received the news of the passing of Joyce Daniel-Romney, a lifelong friend, and supporter.
Joyce was a humble, down-to-earth woman with a pleasant personality and an all-conquering contagious smile. She was an unwavering supporter of the SPM, the SPA, and National Alliance, lending her strong support to me personally wherever my political career took me Read more

Parliament calls Chief Prosecutor Ton Maan and Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman and Chief Prosecutor Ton Maan are now in the hot seat as the Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to play judge and jury with the formation of the Assets Recovery Team.
Even though former Minister of Justice Edison Kirindongo got the Council of Ministers to approve the implementation of the team, the same factions that formed that government, when the Council of Ministers signed off on the advice of the Prosecutor's Office, have teamed up with the United Peoples Party to call for an urgent meeting of Parliament, whereby current Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman and the Chief Prosecutor of St Read more

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Opposition Critical Of Newly Formed Political Party

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The leader of the main opposition United progressive Party (UPP), Harold Lovell, has criticised the newly formed Democratic National Alliance (DNA) saying it has no plans for the future socio-economic development of the country.

Speaking at a rally here on Thursday night, Lovell, said the DNA, headed by expelled UPP legislator Joanne Massiah, had been able to attract some disgruntled UPP executive members because they were not selected as possible candidates for the next general election.

“Hell has no fury like a woman scorned,” Lovell said, adding that at least one former UPP official had just a few weeks ago been praising the party as the best alternative to the ruling administration.

“Four months ago, he wanted to be our caretaker in St John’s Rural North Read more

Opposition Party Says It Will Win May 10 Poll

NASSAU, Bahamas – The main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) says it will win the May 10 general elections even as a political storm appears to be brewing over remarks made by Prime Minister Perry Christie that not even “God could stop” the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) from attaining victory at the polls.

Addressing a political rally in Grand Bahama over the weekend, FNM leader, Dr Hubert A Minnis said before arriving to address the rally, he had received “a formal report on the state of the general election.

“The report is based on information from every constituency and includes specific numbers Read more

Draft Law Soon On Upping Age For Alcohol Purchase

PHILIPSBURG--The Penal Code establishes the legal alcohol drinking age at eighteen, but the ordinance regulating the sale of alcohol prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone below age sixteen. This glaring discrepancy will soon be tackled by Parliament via an initiative draft law.

The draft law to amend the Permit Ordinance was initiated by former Member of Parliament now Minister of Education and Youth Read more

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A New Political Party Launches In Antigua

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – With a promise to advocate for transnational leadership and changing how politics has been practiced here, a new political party was launched Tuesday.

Member of Parliament for All Saints East and St Luke Joanne Massiah said the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) would change the culture of disillusionment with the current crop of political leaders in Antigua and Barbuda.

Massiah, who is a founding member of the DNA, said she would name candidates “after carnival.”

She envisions a “new Antigua and Barbuda” where residents can live out the motto, each endeavoring all achieving.

Massiah told the launch of her party, at the Multi-purpose Centre in the capital, that others in the past have failed to provide a reliable “supply of water, electricity and modern road infrastructure”.

She promised a 20-year development plan for the country called vision 20/20.

“Growth is only possible if we are prepared to change,” the female legislator said, while quoting the national anthem.

“We intend to give people hope Read more

Governing Programme 2016-2020 Presented To Central Committee

PHILIPSBURG--The governing coalition of National Alliance (NA), United St. Maarten (US) Party and Democratic Party (DP), on Tuesday, presented its governing programme to the Central Committee of Parliament.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---On Friday, March 31, the Council of Ministers hosted an Information Session to the Secretaries General of the seven different Ministries and their Management Team, the Staff of the Ministers cabinet, and the Staff of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

The main agenda points of the session were the Governing Program; integrity and the plans of the Dutch Government towards establishing an Integrity Chamber on Sint Maarten and their recent appointment of a Dutch Integrity Quartermaster and an update on the budget 2017.

The Council found it essential to inform the key leaders and advisors of the organization in person about these key matters.
While the Prime Minister, William Marlin, spoke on the issues of the Governing Program and Integrity, the Minister of Finance, Richard Gibson Sr., elaborated on the budget.

At the same time, both Ministers stressed the importance of the role of each civil servant in the process of making Sint Maarten great Read more

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Com Hosts Information Session For Management Teams Of Seven Government Ministries

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Friday, March 31, the Council of Ministers hosted an Information Session to the Secretaries General of the seven different Ministries and their Management Team, the Staff of the Ministers cabinet, and the Staff of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

The main agenda points of the session were the Governing Program; integrity and the plans of the Dutch Government towards establishing an Integrity Chamber on Sint Maarten and their recent appointment of a Dutch Integrity Quartermaster and an update on the budget 2017.

The Council found it essential to inform the key leaders and advisors of the organization in person about these key matters.

While the Prime Minister, William Marlin, spoke on the issues of the Governing Program and Integrity, the Minister of Finance, Richard Gibson Sr., elaborated on the budget.

At the same time both Ministers stressed the importance of the role of each civil servant in the process of making Sint Maarten great Read more

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Governing Programme To Be Tabled To Mps Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG--After a delay of some three weeks, Parliament is again scheduled to receive the 2016-2020 Governing Programme of the National Alliance/United St. Maarten Party/Democratic Party Coalition along with the year plans of the seven ministers on Tuesday.

Bahamians To Vote For New Government On May 10

NASSAU, Bahamas – Bahamians go to the polls on May 10 to elect a new government in a general election that Prime Minister Perry Christie said he is confident would be “free, fair and peaceful”.

In a broadcast soon after Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade read proclamations from Governor General Marguerite Pindling, dissolving Parliament, Prime Minister Christie said voters will now have the opportunity of deciding on which political party will conduct the affairs of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country for the next five years.

The new Parliament will be convened on May 24.

“It is now left to you, the citizenry of our beloved nation to decide who will fill those seats in the next House of Assembly,” said Christie, who led the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to victory in the 2012 general election defeating the then ruling Free National Movement (FNM) for control of the 41 seat Parliament.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) also contested the poll, but failed to win a seat.

Christie, who did not in his broadcast, give a date for Nomination Day, said that in voting, the population will “make that momentous decision in what I am confident will be free and fair elections following a spirited but peaceful campaign.

“Let us contest the forthcoming elections with all the vigour at our command Read more

Prime Minister Christie Promises Short Election Campaign

NASSAU, Bahamas – Prime Minister Perry Christie is promising a “sprint to the finish line,” as Bahamians await the date for the general election.

Prime Minister Christie, who leads his ruling Progressive Liberal party (PLP) into the polls, is expected to announce the election date on Tuesday after he advises the head of state to dissolve the Parliament paving the way for the vote.

Voters have up until 5.00 pm (local time) Monday to register for the election.

The PLP, which comfortably won the last general election in 2012 will face a challenge from the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) for control of the 41-seat Parliament.

“I will be making the announcement and when it is made it is going to be a sprint to the finish line Read more

Exclusive: Will The Parliament Of St. Maarten Fail The People, Prosecutor Office Already Turned A Blind Eye.

What actions will Parliament take when they are being lied to by Ministers?

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, April 6th 2017, the Minister of VSA Emil Lee told the Parliament of St. Maarten that he did not give the director of SZV Glen Carty permission to spend money from the AOV funds to construct the new hospital, instead he said the decision was taken by the Minister of General Affairs (Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr.) a blatant lie told to the members of Parliament.
The two letters sent by the Director of SZV Glen Carty to Minister Emil Lee and his response will be published under this article for sake of transparency.
SMN News got hold of the letters Minister of VSA Emil Lee sent to SZV director Glen Carty dated August 5th, 2016 informing Carty that the Council of Ministers gave him the approval to use the AOV funds to create a capital reserve fund to the tune of NAF 144M for the construction of the New General Hospital including consultant fees Read more

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Heyliger Is Concerned About Missing Minister

PHILIPSBURG--It has been four months since the current National Alliance (NA)-led Cabinet has been in office, but still no separate Minister has been appointed to head the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (TEATT).

Coalition Outlines Plans, Focus On ‘Stability For Prosperity’

PHILIPSBURG--Investment in a “state-of-the-art” tax office, implementation of ordinances to impose stiffer penalties for violent crimes, diversify the economy and stimulate upward mobility in living standards are among the key areas the National Alliance/United St. Maarten Party/Democratic Party coalition plans to tackle in this governing term Read more

Stability For Prosperity! Is Title Governing Program 2016-2020

PHILIPSBURG – On Thursday, March 23, Prime Minister William Marlin presented, as part of the launch of the governing program 2016-2020 “Stability for Prosperity!” a hard copy of the program to Parliament. The presentation was made to Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson, second Vice Chairman.

The governing program outlines the vision and strategy for the governing period Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---- On Thursday, March 23, Prime Minister William Marlin presented as part of the launch of the governing program 2016 – 2020 “Stability for Prosperity!”, a hard copy of the program to Parliament. The presentation was made to the Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Frans Richardson, second Vice Chairman.

The governing program outlines the vision and strategy for the governing period Read more

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