HARBOUR VIEW – On September 30, 2019, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the National Alliance, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, to form an interim government as formateur.
The Governor held consultations between September 24 and 30, 2019 with the leaders of the political parties that hold seats in Parliament, (the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Party, the St. Maarten Christian Party and the Democratic Party), with the independent Members of Parliament C. Brownbill en L. Mercelina as well as with the vice chairperson of the Council of Advice. These consultations were a result of the declaration of September 22, 2019, signed by the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Party and Members of Parliament C. Brownbill and L. Mercelina to form a new Government, the decision of the Council of Ministers to hand in their resignation and to dissolve Parliament.
Based on the consultations and taking into account the abovementioned declaration, the political developments and the agreement that government will continue and complete ongoing business, including existing agreements, the Governor requested Ms. Jacobs to form an interim government. A government that consists of ministers who are committed to the promotion of the well-being of the people of Sint Maarten.
In addition, the Governor requested the formateur to form an interim government that gives priority to conclude the legislation regarding the combating of money laundering and financing of terrorism, to execute the agreements made with The Netherlands regarding the financing of the national recovery of Sint Maarten, including the financing of the rehabilitation of the airport, to further prepare the execution of the elections, to take steps to realize electoral reform by bringing the Ordinance Registration and Finances of Political Parties and the Election Ordinance in accordance with the Constitution, and to concluding the budget for 2020.
The Governor further emphasized the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements including the screening criteria, applicable to the appointment of candidate ministers.
The formateur took the commission into consideration and will inform the Governor regularly during the formation process.
