That Governor Eugene Holiday has asked National Alliance (NA) leader Silveria Jacobs to form an interim government (see related story) is no surprise. After all, NA with five seats is by far the biggest parliamentary faction among the new coalition.
Sometimes an “informateur” is first named to explore the possibilities, but the NA, United St. Maarten Party (US Party) plus now independent legislators Dr. Luc Mercelina and Chanel Brownbill had already established a clear majority comprising nine out of the total 15 seats.
The term “interim” has to do with the outgoing Romeo-Marlin Cabinet dissolving Parliament and calling snap elections, although the exact date is in doubt because of issues with the Electoral Ordinance as well as the Law on Registering and Financing Political Parties. In fact, taking steps to coordinate the terms in these laws and those in the Constitution is one task the governor gave the next Council of Ministers.
Others are finalising legislation for the combatting of money-laundering and financing of terrorism, implementing agreements with the Netherlands to finance the national recovery of the Dutch Caribbean country including the rehabilitation of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), further preparing the execution of elections, and completing the 2020 budget. Mind you, these are things the former opposition now taking over had a lot of problems with.
No duration for the government to be established by “formateur” Jacobs was mentioned, perhaps because of the above-mentioned uncertainties regarding an early return to the polls, but it would normally be short-lived pending the installation of a newly-elected Parliament. Exactly when remains to be seen, but with Nomination Day scheduled for Wednesday not even the four existing parties appear ready and no colours for the various candidate lists have yet been determined as customary.
There is an urgent need to end the confusion.
Correction:
Monday’s editorial stated “… the outgoing Romeo-Marlin Cabinet … despite two of its five members having been asked by the incoming coalition to leave immediately.” There are currently six ministers (the portfolio Public Health, Social Development and Labour is still vacant), against five for whom motions of no-confidence were adopted in Parliament, while two of these were also told to vacate their offices right away.
