The looming political crisis thankfully did not materialise (see related story), because on this occasion there was a quorum for Tuesday’s meeting to approve credentials of two incoming parliamentarians. Their predecessors had already stepped down to become ministers, leaving the United Democrats/St. Maarten Christian Party (SMPC) coalition with only six of the remaining 13 seats.
As the seven opposition members were absent last Friday, six of them with notice, the next elected representatives in line could not be installed. This in effect meant the newly-sworn-in Leona Romeo-Marlin Cabinet II no longer enjoyed its minimal majority support in Parliament, with all possible consequences.
National Alliance (NA) leader Silveria Jacobs said there had never been an inclination to disrupt government. She questioned the timing of the original meeting and its continuation despite at least five prior notices of absence the day before, while fraction colleague Ardwell Irion said it was “last minute” and “poor planning.”
It would, of course, have been better to examine the credentials of the newcomers before the prospective ministers abandoned their legislative seats. However, one of the issues was that Emil Lee could not have continued his dual role as parliamentarian and minister in the former cabinet beyond July 2, the maximum three months since the current parliamentary term started.
Credit the opposition present on Tuesday, even if there may have been some intent in Friday’s mass no-show, for putting an end to the possible dilemma. That’s the kind of often-lacking maturity in politics the voters are looking for.
