Rumours about behind-the-scene formation talks were abounding following early Tuesday morning’s announced elections outcome. As there are three parties with three seats, two with two seats and two with one each, a variety of combinations is possible for majority support in the 15-seat Parliament.
The most obvious option would seem continuing the so-called “two-by-four” coalition of URSM, DP, PFP and NOW, but this time with respectively 3, 3, 2 and 1 seats, for a total of 9. On the other hand, NOW lost a seat, as did NA (3) and UP (2), while newcomer SAM (1) can be considered a winner.
People even speculated about a possible “reunion” government in connection with DP’s 70th anniversary. because URSM, PFP and SAM all have roots in the island’s oldest party. However, other considerations are likely to play a bigger role.
Two political leaders are at risk of ending up “outside looking in” if their party does not get into the executive branch. Silveria Jacobs has less votes than three other NA candidates and Christophe Emannuel came in second on the NOW list.
There has been talk of asking for recounts, once the current numbers are ratified. A situation where all results must be reviewed during several days of marathon Central Voting Bureau sessions as happened last January should be avoided.
In principle such requests should be based on specific complaints regarding individual polls and limited to such. Besides, very little has ever changed due to these – what some find – rather futile exercises.
