What the report by “Informateurs” Nilda Arduin and Jan Beaujon made clear (see Wednesday paper) is that the much-talked-about national government is no longer viable. St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) told them it will not work with United St. Maarten Party (US Party), which would have to be the case if all four fractions represented in the newly-elected Parliament backed the same Council of Ministers.
This also means a combination of National Alliance (NA) with five seats, US Party with two and SMCP with one, for a minimal majority of eight in the 15-seat house is out the window. In fact, NA can now only be part of a coalition that includes United Democrats with its seven seats, unless so-called “ship-jumping” takes place.
Other than United Democrats/NA (12 seats), remaining options include United Democrats/NA/US Party (14), United Democrats/NA/SMCP (13), United Democrats/US Party (9) and United Democrats/SMCP (8). Whatever the outcome is, those concerned based on the number of seats each will have to divide seven local ministries, the plenipotentiary post in The Hague and the Presidency of Parliament between them.
The report also found no major differences in the manifestos, priorities and commitment for stability with a vision for the coming four years (and beyond). All parties expressed willingness to cooperate with the Netherlands and agreements involving the World Bank for the reconstruction of St. Maarten, granted the local government manages the process and is treated fairly.
By the same token they all support a sustainable solution for the landfill and waste-management problem. The need to involve social partners in the rebuilding effort was generally acknowledged as well.
In other words, the stated policies on the most pressing issues of the day do not vary to the extent that this would automatically indicate which parties are better suited to one another’s beliefs. In that sense the information exercise at the request of Governor Eugene Holiday failed to provide any obvious direction.
As stated before, it’s ultimately up to negotiations to determine what kind of coalition government the country gets. That’s in principle a responsibility for politicians.
