News that United Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), Democratic Party (DP), Party for Progress (PFP) and Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) reached a coalition agreement (see related story) spread like wildfire Saturday evening. Even the portfolios have already been designated.
It is not unusual that the biggest party is left out of government within the Dutch Caribbean. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has a parliamentary democracy where the majority rules, regardless of how it is comprised.
Side-lining both largest parties is less common and having the four smallest form a government downright exceptional. That makes this a historic accord.
It shows that the signatories all did not want the current governing parties National Alliance (NA) and United People’s (UP) party to return to power. That’s one way to deliver on calls for change during the campaign.
With two seats each, their joint majority of eight is minimal in the 15-seat legislature. The latter could create issues should a coalition member fall ill or otherwise be unable to attend meetings.
Those involved nevertheless pursuing this formation scenario suggests conviction it can be successful, although they have expressed varying opinions on several important issues. Judging from how quickly relevant political functions including seven ministries were divided between four equal partners, that might indeed prove the case.
As two are new and a third has not been part of the executive branch yet, this incoming coalition would do well to ensure enough experience and knowledge of public affairs in key posts. At least for the moment, they certainly deserve the benefit of the doubt.
