While not completely unexpected, the resignation of Roland Brison as President of Parliament (see related story) is noteworthy. After all, he could have easily tried hanging on to the function by using its power to call (or not) and adjourn meetings to frustrate efforts to replace him, as seen earlier in – for example – Curaçao.
But Brison apparently realised the problem is his and that usually becomes a first step towards resolution. This public recognition of the need to reflect and focus on personal growth in any case speaks in the departing chairman’s favour.
He will stay in Parliament and announced neither a break with the United People’s (UP) party nor withdrawing support from the current Jacobs Cabinet II. One must therefore assume a successor will come from the same faction with backing of the governing NA/UP coalition, although support by opposition members is also possible.
Brison is doing the right thing in acknowledging that his actions while occupying the highest democratic office in the land required political consequences. He remains a bright young man who can still offer the country a lot once he has worked out his issues.
Moreover, his marketing background should allow him to provide a significant contribution to the island’s tourism economy on which the livelihood of practically all inhabitants depends in the future. Having now come clean, he should see this as a new beginning rather than an end.
