That Jorien Wuite became the first person from St. Maarten to earn a seat in the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament (see related story) is a significant achievement. She received 66 or 43 per cent of the 154 valid votes cast in Philipsburg and – no matter how you look at it – having a direct legislative voice in The Hague can be an asset.
In addition, her party D66 with 23 seats became the second biggest in the Netherlands behind VVD of caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte and thus grew in influence, to the point where two “scouts” – one of each – have been appointed to explore forming a new government. This also makes it likely D66 will be part of the next cabinet.
Should that happen the role of Wuite as number 20 candidate within the parliamentary faction may become more prominent if others higher on the list are nominated for functions in the executive branch. It is even conceivable that she might be one of the latter.
There has been much talk of a democratic deficit resulting from the kingdom charter. This complaint by the three Dutch Caribbean countries is mainly based on the current constitutional structure, the authority and composition of the Kingdom Council of Ministers as well as lack of legislative representation at that level.
However, there is also such a thing as personal involvement and the art of political persuasion, which can make a big difference in practice. That is important especially now, with relations on edge over a letter recently sent to the United Nations (UN) on behalf of St. Maarten’s Parliament, accusing the Netherlands of practising racial discrimination and using coronavirus-related financial assistance as neo-colonial tool to do so.
In the current unprecedented socio-economic crisis, maintaining good ties with The Hague is not only desirable, but for many – certainly in the short term – a matter of sheer survival.
