By agreeing to make their positions available on Wednesday (see related article) the Council of Ministers did the right thing. Having the national decree to dissolve Parliament and call early elections signed by Governor Eugene Holiday at the same time,
as suggested earlier, was obviously the most logical way to overcome the “who first” dilemma.
After all, the desire voiced by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs to go back to the polls was basically met. The only difference is that the current cabinet members must step down a bit sooner, but actually they will be asked to stay in office until their prospective successors have been screened and installed.
On the other hand, also the NA-led coalition got its wish to form a new Government, be it for only about three to six months. “Formateur” William Marlin thus is to propose candidates for an interim cabinet and that is probably not what the NA/DP/USP/Lake/Matser majority had in mind when they passed a motion of no confidence against the outgoing ministers.
Both sides therefore had to show willingness to compromise and did so in the end. That is a hopeful sign of mature leadership following all the recent constitutional turmoil.
Laws are ultimately made by and for people, so there always will be differences of interpretation that can lead to discord. Important is that such disputes are resolved based on common sense and in the best general interest.
Although the new government is to work on electoral reform, any significant change regarding a parliamentarian being able to “go independent” and keep his/her party’s seat hardly can be expected in such a short period. Moreover, the current parliamentary system and oath to act in one’s own good conscience makes this difficult at best.
Indeed, another vote just over one year after the last one may not be the answer to all the existing governmental issues, including so-called “ship jumping,” but hopefully at least will provide some political clarity.
