Names mentioned as ministerial nominees of the incoming URSM/DP/PFP/NOW government (see Monday newspaper) should have a reassuring effect regarding relevant experience. Considering that two of the four coalition parties were newcomers in January’s election, one in only its second poll and the other a reactivated traditional party, there was some concern.
But most candidates in question seem like a good fit, with Justice reportedly going to former police officer Lyndon Lewis; Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI to one of its high-ranking officials, Raeyhon Peterson; and Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA to Veronica Jansen-Webster, who has held several functions in the (semi)public sector.
Education, Culture, Youth and Sports ECYS will be handled by Christophe Emmanuel, having served as VROMI minister earlier; Finance by director of Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) Marinka Gumbs; and Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) by former President of Parliament Grisha Heyliger-Marten. She can hopefully also draw on the relevant knowledge and connections of her husband ex-Commissioner of Tourism Theo Heyliger.
The team is to be led by Prime Minister Luc Mercelina (General Affairs), who was a member of parliament (MP) once already before his current term. He, Heyliger-Marten and Emmanuel will be replaced in the legislature by their party’s next highest vote-getters, respectively Richinel Brug, Viren Kotai and Claudius Buncamper, although the latter had been suspended pending his criminal trial appeal now before the High Court in The Hague. How that works out remains to be seen, but the reported future Council of Ministers in any case appears to have what it takes to do the job.
With Patrice Gumbs and Gracita Arrindell as respectively Minister and Deputy-Minister Plenipotentiary, a strong representation in the Netherlands may be expected. This is important particularly in light of recent political developments there.
All in all, this proposed new Mercelina I Cabinet certainly deserves a fair chance.
