The debate regarding pre-conditions for recovery aid set by the Netherlands and the local Government’s handling of the matter continued over the weekend. DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams on Sunday quoted NA Minister Christophe Emmanuel as publicly saying twice that anyone in agreement with these demands shouldn’t be part of the governing coalition.
Not that the President of Parliament needed an excuse for the stance she took. In any case, it is plain for most to see that, lacking any feasible “Plan B,” significant Dutch financial assistance remains an absolute must under the current dire social circumstances which, according to many, including the Central Bank, will get much worse without a substantial influx of capital.
Apparently US party fraction member Chanel Brownbill feels the same way (see related story). This means the William Marlin Cabinet no longer has majority legislative support in its position on the topic.
Whether or not the requirements now being imposed are fair is one thing, the enormous hardships facing the people without the necessary funds to help rebuild St. Maarten quite another. The reality is that the tourism economy was left in shambles by Irma and will to a large extent stay such during the upcoming – normally “high” – winter season, despite the best intentions of all those trying to get it back on track.
One ought to also remember that the Integrity Chamber and concern over border control are not new. As for reasons, the number of court cases, scandals and controversies during the last decade surrounding politicians and civil servants, particularly Immigration officials, might provide a useful hint.
The impression in The Hague that people in authority in Philipsburg can’t be trusted may be a gross generalisation and exaggeration, but it is based on a less-than-stellar image created over the years by the very persons involved. Like it or not, these issues did not come out of the blue.
