The latest political developments are contributing to growing intrigue and uncertainty. Party for Progress (PFP) asked to add Parliament’s confidence – or rather lack thereof – in Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Egbert Doran to the agenda (see related story) of a plenary session on seeking advice regarding the deputising for suspended elected representatives.
United People’s (UP) Party faction leader Rolando Brison said the urgent meeting during recess was called by Parliament President Grisha Heyliger-Marten (UP) only for this “shenanigan” knowing several members would be absent, suggesting there might be enough support for a motion against the National Alliance (NA) minister among those present. He then asked for a roll call and left together with Hyacinth Richardson (NA), leaving the gathering without a required quorum and unable to go on.
Confused? So is much of the population. This goes back to NA-faction member Solange Duncan declaring herself independent at the end of last month and a subsequent release from governing partners NA and UP saying independent members would be approached about strengthening the minimal backing of eight seats in the 15-seat house the Jacobs II Cabinet was left with.
Next surfaced part of an apparent cooperation document signed by a new majority that did not include several supposed coalition members including Heyliger-Marten, indicating a possible split within the UP leadership. The latter was obviously confirmed during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Although Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs last week said she would not comment while talks are ongoing, it seems battle-lines have been drawn around Minister Doran’s future as such. How that plays out remains to be seen, but the public deserves at least some clarity on this “revamped” coalition and its immediate plans.
All persons directly involved would also do well to keep in mind that St. Maarten continues to be in crisis mode with huge challenges ahead and there is an awful lot at stake.
