St. Maarten is marking another Constitution Day, the anniversary of becoming an autonomous country within the Dutch Kingdom. This happened per October 10, 2010, but the decision was later taken to observe an official holiday on the second Monday of October, thus preventing issues with it falling on a Sunday, etc.
The past eight years have been interesting, to say the least, as the former Island Territory of the dismantled Netherlands Antilles grappled with aspects of its new status, including a dual system of government whereby one can no longer – except for a short transition period – be part of both the legislative and executive branches. In the old days at least half the number of commissioners also had to be in the Island Council, allowing especially party leaders more control.
The change also came with increased responsibilities when taking over tasks from the no-longer-existent Central Government in Willemstad. As that’s where much of the \relevant knowledge and other resources had historically been concentrated, this wasn’t always easy.
Moreover, full use could not be made of debt relief from the Netherlands accompanying the constitutional reforms within the Dutch Caribbean, primarily because of local administrative shortcomings in the public sector. An envisioned “healthy financial starting point” thus never completely materialised.
The new structure of the civil service designed by experts and consultants proved rather elaborate and costly too, despite pre-warnings to that effect from the business community. In addition, qualified candidates to occupy all these functions were at times hard to find.
But perhaps the biggest factor in the many difficulties faced since 10-10-10 has been the behaviour, or rather misbehaviour, of politicians. With seven different governing coalitions – almost one per year, multiple “ship-jumping,” plus some half a dozen parliamentarians suspected and a few already convicted of improprieties, it seems quite clear where the crux of the problem lies.
Happy Constitution Day.
