Reservations in the Kingdom Council of Ministers regarding the proposed change to St. Maarten’s Constitution to tackle so-called “ship-jumping” in Parliament (see related story) have put the William
Marlin Cabinet’s intended electoral reforms in serious jeopardy. With elections scheduled for September 26 and Nomination Day on August 8, time is clearly running out.
Moreover, some of the concerns expressed are legitimate, such as the risk of there being no majority backing for any government at all, with a political crisis as the result. Not only that, but a “new coalition” that wouldn’t be able to nominate ministers because one or more of its members are “independent parliamentarians” could still hamper the effective governing of the country from the legislature.
Let’s face it, there was already some doubt about the support of the entire NA/USP/DP/Matser/Lake “Coalition of Eight” for the envisioned adjustment when push comes to shove, never mind the two-thirds majority of 10 seats actually needed. Parliament President Sarah Wescot-Williams earlier this week announced the regulation in question would be ready for debate next week, but without the required cooperation of The Netherlands the matter now appears to have become practically a “mission impossible.”
Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk also indicated the latter when he said that considering the severity of the objections, if these are not addressed the amendment will ultimately be opposed by The Hague. In other words; the door may still be ajar, but it’s closing fast.
