From left Finance Minister Perry Geerlings, Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson, Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever, Health Minister Emile Lee, Education Minister Wycliffe Smith, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, and Roylyka Roach, Host of the Weekly Press Briefing.
~ Giterson makes post available to governor ~
POND ISLAND--There were three different responses given by ministers to the request of the United Democrats/St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) governing coalition for two ministers to resign immediately.
When asked about situation in the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin (United Democrats) said the Council of Ministers "would have to discuss the request" for Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever and Infrastructure Minister Miklos Giterson, both of the United Democrats, to resign as soon as possible.
Education Minister Wycliffe Smith (SMCP), when asked for his position on the resignation request, said he would await the coalition’s forthcoming public statement before speaking on the matter.
De Weever, one of the ministers at the centre of the situation, weighed in by saying he was awaiting a meeting with the coalition before making any statement.
De Weever is asked to leave office because of his perceived non-action against Dutch government infiltration in the local justice system.
Giterson, who did not attend the press briefing, took another approach on Wednesday afternoon. He made his position available to Governor Eugene Holiday and not the coalition. He has sent a letter to Holiday indicating this.
What will occur now due to Giterson’s move is not certain. It is possible Holiday will have consultations with Giterson, as well as with Romeo-Marlin and other coalition partners.
Giterson was recently convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. He has since appealed the verdict.
Coalition Members of Parliament (MPs) issued the ultimatum in a coalition meeting on Monday at which only some ministers were present. Giterson was among those, but De Weever was not.
If the two embattled ministers do not relinquish their posts, it is speculated that they may face a motion of no confidence during next week's debate on the more-than-half-a-year-overdue 2019 budget. How this will factor in the move made by Giterson remains to be seen.
A motion of no confidence against one or more ministers, whether passed or rejected by Parliament, does not necessarily mean a government collapse. A shift in government can only occur when one or more MPs supporting the coalition withdraws support. There is no indication of any such plan at this time.
