A Parliament meeting in Curaçao was cancelled because employees felt unsafe (see related story). The immediate reason is a sexual harassment complaint filed against a coalition member by an opposition staffer on behalf of alleged victims, but fierce confrontations including serious accusations and verbal insults have become more common since the Netherlands Antilles was dismantled per 10-10-10, with even one case of violent abuse, while two elected representatives got physical in Aruba’s legislature not too long ago as well.
There have thankfully been no such incidents to speak of in the third Dutch Caribbean country St. Maarten so far. While there is a lot to say about the Parliament in Philipsburg, including the fact that about half a dozen of its members during the last nine years were mentioned in criminal investigations, extreme animosity has not been a problem.
Local parliamentarians are certainly critical of those across the aisle and don’t back away from a figurative jab or even occasional low blow or two, while they frequently apply the usual tricks like the coalition boycotting meetings requested by the opposition or the latter doing so with those called on behalf of government when there is no majority backing present. However, they seldom get too personal or take any argument between them further than in the assembly hall
St. Maarten people are generally good-natured, often willing to forgive and move on. That may have to do with the relatively small community creating a sense of familiarity or perhaps being accustomed to recovering from hurricane hits over the decades.
Who knows, but whatever it is, the destination earned its nickname “The Friendly Island” because of inhabitants and that trait should be cherished. As global politics seemingly get increasingly harsh and aggressive, it is good to know that the local representatives are at least able to maintain an adequate measure of civility.
