HARBOUR VIEW--Governor Eugene Holiday has tasked National Alliance (NA) leader Member of Parliament William Marlin with forming a new government that will prepare for “planned elections” and “take steps to introduce electoral reforms.”
Marlin was named “formateur” by the governor on Thursday afternoon and has been given a deadline of November 20 to submit his final report naming ministers for the new cabinet. Marlin has committed to informing the governor regularly during the formation process.
The governor emphasized to Marlin the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements including the screening criteria, applicable to the appointment for minister candidates.
Marlin is to form a government “based on a majority in Parliament” and consisting of dedicated ministers who are committed to the promotion of the well-being of St. Maarten, who will give priority to the amendment of the 2015 budget and to the preparation of the 2016 budget in line with the recently adopted Kingdom decree. The ministers are also to be dedicated to jointly executing their governing responsibilities.
There has been no indication from the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet if its position on resigning has changed. The governor urged the cabinet on Wednesday night to resign. He promised to sign the cabinet’s draft national decree to dissolve parliament and call snap elections after the resignation letter is received.
The cabinet, however, continues to hold steadfast to its position that the governor must sign the draft decree first after which Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs will tend the resignation of his cabinet.
The ongoing political saga that will lead to the country’s fifth government in five years started on September 30 when the newly formed National Alliance (NA)-led Coalition of Eight in Parliament passed a motion of no confidence against the United People’s (UP) party-led coalition supported cabinet.
That motion was followed up by three Members of Parliament Frans Richardson (United St. Maarten Party), Silvio Matser (former UP) and Maurice Lake (former UP) informing the Governor they had withdrawn their support from the now crumpled UP-led coalition.
The governor also received a separate letter signed by the four MPs of the National Alliance, one from Democratic Party, and one of USP along with Matser and Lake informing him of their willingness to form the new government. The letter included a Governing Accord signed by the eight MPs.
Based on those developments and subsequent political developments, the governor consulted with Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament and the independent MPs, Parliament Chairman and the Vice Chairperson of the Council of Advice from September 30 through October 5.
The Governor in view of the constitutional concerns requested legal advice from a panel of three judges on October 16. That advice was received October 22 and resulted in Marlin’s task to form the new government, but with a goal of preparing for elections.
