Today could prove decisive for the future of the United Democrats (UD)/St. Maarten Christian Party government, with the resumption of a plenary session of Parliament on the chosen financing for the reconstruction of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) scheduled for 10:00am. There are two motions of no-confidence on the table against Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin (General Affairs) and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Stuart Johnson, who is the company’s shareholder representative.
The meeting started on January 21, followed by the second round on Monday, February 5, when it was last adjourned while the opposition factions of National Alliance (NA) and US Party had a majority. The proceedings were supposed to continue that Thursday but could not, primarily due to the travel of several legislators to Suriname for a parliamentary contact plan with the host country, Curaçao and Aruba.
There is uneasiness about implications for the local tourism economy of possibly reversing a deal made with the Netherlands for a soft loan of US $50 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a $50-million grant from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund managed by the World Bank to rebuild and strengthen the airport terminal. The opposition parties don’t agree with the conditions for such but have so far failed to present a viable alternative.
The labour unions involved WICSU/PSU and ABVO, as well as St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association are deeply concerned (see related stories). They fear the crucial full restoration of the island’s main gateway might get bogged down in a political battle, with all consequences for the people’s livelihood.
A lot may depend on how many coalition members show up this morning, because those absent for the second round can also participate and be counted. As UD leader Theo Heyliger is currently detained, should all available elected representatives be present there would be seven on either side of the aisle and with a tie in votes the motions can’t be passed.
