Voters now at least know when they will be going to the polls (see related story). The timing is hardly ideal, coming so soon after the Christmas holidays and during the height of the tourism season.
However, that has to do with early elections called four years ago after the then-Council of Ministers lost majority support in Parliament and dissolved the legislature in response. A lot was already stated and written about this scenario repeatedly playing itself out after St. Maarten became an autonomous country in the Dutch kingdom with a dualistic system of government per 10-10-10, but for now it remains common practice.
In fact, the current Jacobs Cabinet is the only one since to complete its full term, although the coalition’s make-up did change by losing NA and UP faction members. The latter were replaced with so-called independent parliamentarians.
So, it hasn’t exactly been a smooth political ride, while impacts of the COVID-19 crisis played a big role in public affairs and continue to do so. With the islands still recovering from the devastation from Hurricane Irma in September 2017, it’s safe to say that the past four years were difficult at best.
They won’t get much easier anytime soon, mind you. Many challenges lie ahead, of a financial, socioeconomic, educational and environmental nature, among others.
So, those running for office 4½ months from now better realise that this is no popularity contest. The people need capable hard-working problem solvers looking after the general interest rather than their own.
