The newly formed coalition of four parties (see related story) differs by only one compared to the former one. It was the then NOW faction member Kevin Maingrette who caused the Mercelina I Cabinet to fall.
He later changed his mind but by then it was too late, as snap elections had already been set in motion. Maingrette was asked to leave the party and no longer featured on the party’s candidate list for Monday’s early return to the polls.
However, the experience apparently contributed to looking elsewhere. It means NOW leader Christophe Emmanuel won’t return to Parliament, as Lyndon Lewis got more votes to earn the party’s only seat.
When the recently-elected Parliament takes office next month there will be majority support for the next government from URSM and DP, both three seats, as well as PFP with two and SAM with one, for a combined nine in the 15-seat legislature.
URSM will maintain the Prime Minister, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA as well as the plenipotentiary Minister in The Hague and the same persons, respectively Luc Mercelina, Veronica Jansen-Webster and Gracita Arrindell are expected to remain in those functions.
DP also kept the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), along with the deputy prime ministership. Here too, respectively Marinka Gumbs and Grisha Heyliger-Marten are expected to stay on, while party leader Sarah Wescot-Willams continues to chair Parliament.
PFP again has the Ministry of Pubic Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI currently held by Patrice Gumbs, but got that of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) as well. It will be interesting to see whether the party’s two biggest vote-getters Ludmilla de Weever and Melissa Gumbs take up their seats or join the Mercelina II Cabinet.
Newcomer SAM received Justice and party leader Franklin Meyers must decide whether he joins the executive branch for the next candidate in line to take up his seat, or nominates a minister.
Regardless, the incoming team will face huge challenges including the ongoing enegry crisis, Ennia saga and many others. They must also ensure the tourism economy is able to keep providing the livelihood of practically the entire population.
It’s by no means going to be a pleasure cruise.
