PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Richinel Brug says he intends to contest the next parliamentary election and has not ruled out starting his own political party, following what he described as strong support from members of the public.
Brug said during a radio interview with Wendell Moore on PJD2 Radio that he has received approaches from political parties asking him to join them, as well as support from people who have told him they would follow him wherever he goes. He also said some people have told him they want to be on his slate if he leads a party, while others have encouraged him to establish his own party.
Brug said he has not yet decided whether he will start his own party because doing so carries significant responsibility and requires considerable preparation. However, he has not ruled out the possibility and said he will announce his decision on the same show if he decides to do so.
“God willing I will definitely be on a slate which one time will tell.”
Brug rejected suggestions that his political career is over, pointing to the support he says he has received from the public. He said he began his political journey in 2014 and eventually succeeded in 2024, after four elections and practically five elections, and does not intend to quit.
He said his continued political goal is to serve the people of St. Maarten and argued that politics itself is not the problem, but having the right people in politics is important. According to Brug, leaders need vision, integrity and the best interests of the people at heart to move the country to a different level and reduce poverty.
Brug said his approach has been to tell voters during campaigns what he intends to do and then execute once in office. He said that during his time in office he worked to implement measures immediately where possible and put longer-term matters into practice as well.
Regarding the current government, Brug said it has done some work during its nearly two years in office but believes it can do better.
Brug also discussed his relationship with the Unified Resilience St Maarten Movement (URSM), saying the party distanced itself from him after asking him to resign, which he refused to do. He said he continued working until he received a vote of no confidence and was still in meetings on May 29, the day of the vote.
He said he believes his work ethic and willingness to listen to civil servants were among his strengths as VSA minister. Brug said civil servants often have solutions but that politicians can sometimes be too removed from the people and their concerns.
He recalled regularly leaving the fourth floor of the government building to visit staff on the second and ground floors and interact with both employees and the people being served by the ministry.
Brug said he particularly valued being able to speak directly with staff and hear their grievances, as well as speaking with the clients of the ministry. He said he intends to continue serving his country as a civilian, as a VKS member, as an inspector of education and as a father.
