PHILIPSBURG--The United Democrats/St. Maarten Christian Party coalition has asked two of its ministers to relinquish their posts.
Asked to give up their posts in the coalition are Public Housing and Spatial Planning Minister Miklos Giterson and Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever.
Giterson has been asked due to the verdict against him for driving under the influence. He has appealed the verdict.
In the case of De Weever, many in the coalition believe he has not been proactive enough in protecting the country from Dutch government infiltration.
Giterson has asked for the coalition members in Monday’s coalition meeting to give him the directive in writing. This has not occurred yet.
De Weever was not present at the meeting of the coalition.
People close to the issue say the two ministers have not yet made their posts available to the coalition.
Should the two ministers resign, the coalition will be pressed to find two replacements post haste to ensure balance in the Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin.
The resignation of any minister would not put the government in any danger of collapse. A fall of government can only occur if one of more Members of Parliament (MPs) withdraws support from the government. According to information received, this is not a concern as all eight MPs supporting the coalition are in agreement about the need for the ministers to resign from their posts.
