It has been clarified meanwhile that Member of Parliament (MP) Silvio Matser is not in pre-trial detention after his arrest as vote-buying suspect, at least not yet. The distinction, which seemed to some to have gotten “lost in translation,” is important,
because it means that for the time-being there is no question of a suspension based on the Constitution.
On the other hand, he is obviously unable to attend meetings physically while behind bars, so the governing coalition cannot count on him. President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams was planning to consult the various fraction leaders on the way forward and there are indications the opposition might help provide a quorum for the adjourned debate on the 2016 budget that is already long overdue.
Readers may find it interesting to note that should Matser end up being suspended, the vacant seat will be occupied by a replacement “deputy” presumably from the party on whose candidate list the elected representative originally was voted into office, even though he has since declared himself an independent parliamentarian to support the current NA-led government.
The latter would effectively lead to a loss of majority support for the William Marlin Cabinet and potentially a new UP-led coalition just months before early elections are scheduled. Of course, neither the prosecution nor the court can be expected to take any of this into account, because their actions obviously may not be or even seem politically motivated.
Still, whatever happens in the “Octopus” investigation during the next few days and weeks could have a greater impact on the governing of the country than many realise.
