Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Governor Eugene Holiday's decision to appoint two "informateurs" – Joe Richardson and Marcel Gumbs – (see Saturday paper) is interesting. He obviously had to do something when it became clear that "formateur" William Marlin (NA) no longer could deliver a majority in Parliament after DP's MP-elect Cornelius de Weever signed an agreement with the seven UP fraction members-elect and thus torpedoed the envisioned NA/DP/UP Party coalition.
The governor, based on the document presented to him by UP leader Theo Heyliger, could have named the latter "formateur" instead, but stopped short of doing so. Perhaps the recent developments made Holiday more cautious, because an "informateur" usually must still explore the possibilities to form a government.
Not only that, but he appointed two, only one of whom has direct ties with UP. Gumbs has always been a DP man, although he perhaps enjoys the confidence of prospective coalition partner De Weever as well.
At the same time, the duo's assigned task is based on the provisions of the new coalition agreement, which would indicate a UP/De Weever government. Reports that DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams might somehow join and perhaps even remain prime minister therefore must be considered nothing more than speculation, at least for now.
Although she seems to think some water still may have to flow under the proverbial bridge before all is said and done, as yet it appears the caretaker prime minister will be in the opposition benches as her party's lone parliamentarian come October 10. However, a lot could still happen in the days ahead and Marlin in any case doesn't expect a UP/De Weever cabinet to last very long.
The voters will just have to wait and see.
