A new legislative year will be opened in Philipsburg on the second Tuesday of September as customary. To avoid any confusion, this has nothing to do with the August 19 elections.
The new Parliament voted into office then will be installed on September 20. A URSM/DP/PFP/SAM majority has already been formed based on their respective 3, 3, 2 and 1 seats, for a combined nine of those 15.
Outgoing Justice Minister Lyndon Lewis accused his party NOW’s current governing partners URSM, DP and PFP of “dutty politics” (see Thursday newspaper) for leaving him out of coalition talks and turning to SAM instead. While not the leader, he was the biggest vote-getter of NOW and earned its lone seat.
The other three parties no doubt had their reasons, including that NOW lost half its seats while SAM as newcomer can be considered a winner, but the fact is that they both have one seat. Although it was a NOW-faction member who went independent, bringing the only-weeks-old Mercelina I Cabinet to a quick end and prompting an early return to the polls, that person is no longer with the party.
Several caretaker ministers will be back, but other candidates have to go through the usual screening. That resulted in issues for two after the January elections and considerably delayed appointing the incoming government.
The Council of Advice (see Friday/Saturday edition) has called the present process “unclear and outdated,” recommending a comprehensive legal framework instead. It’s unlikely, however, that such changes could still be made for the next Council of Ministers.
The coalition partners also have a responsibility to nominate persons who, based on recent experience, will probably pass scrutiny. Regularly-scheduled elections took place eight months ago and it’s high time to move on.
