Elected representatives of two Dutch coalition parties have asked the Kingdom Council of Ministers to look at what role it can play regarding the latest political developments in Philipsburg. Members of the Second Chamber of Parliament Chris van Dam (CDA) and André Bosman (VVD) fear St. Maarten has become ungovernable after already the ninth cabinet crisis since 10-10-10.
Reference was made to St. Eustatius’ placement under direct supervision from The Hague, although recognising that the former is an overseas part of the Netherlands while St. Maarten is an autonomous country within the Kingdom. The concern also has to do with the Dutch involvement in the recovery process from Hurricane Irma via – among other things – its Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.
An opportunity to address understandable apprehension over the related intentions of the new NA/US Party/Mercelina/Brownbill majority in the light of recent statements from that camp was lost with the cancellation of a Central Committee encounter with visiting State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops. Apart from the discussion on the legalities and procedure of such a meeting, it could have led to a frank and face-to-face debate on whatever differences exist.
Important to know is that the now-caretaker Romeo-Marlin cabinet will continue to honour agreements made at least a few more weeks while candidate ministers are screened for a new government. The latter should have interim status and a short term until the next Parliament takes office on December 23, unless it moves to postpone the November 25 snap elections as already happened twice before in similar situations.
It was mentioned that the intervention by The Hague did a lot of good for Statia, to the point that the island can now return to the polls in October 2020. However, as what will happen afterwards remains to be seen, it would appear prudent to reserve final judgement until then.
