Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
ST. EUSTATIUS--The new coalition government of Progressive Labour Party (PLP) and United People's Coalition (UPC) will be sworn in on Thursday, formateur and PLP leader Clyde van Putten announced Monday evening during a public address on local radio and television.
The formation of a new government for St. Eustatius followed within five days after the Island Council election of last week Wednesday, in which the PLP and Democratic Party ((DP)) both obtained two seats and UPC one seat.
As winner of the election, Van Putten was commissioned by Island Governor Gerald Berkel on Friday to form a new Executive Council. Because no party obtained a majority in the Island Council, which will serve from 2015 to 2019, it was necessary to form a coalition government.
In light of this, UPC and PLP started negotiations to form a government and a letter of intent was signed. Van Putten presented the so-called Lampeweg Accord signed between PLP and UPC at the Governor's Office on Monday afternoon.
Van Putten also disclosed the division of the portfolios. Incoming Commissioner for the PLP Astrid McKenzie-Tatem will be in charge of Legal Affairs, Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning, Information and Protocol, Harbour Affairs, Agriculture, Fishery and Animal Husbandry, Civil Registry, Maintenance, Waste Management and Taxes.
UPC leader Reginald Zaandam will return as Commissioner and will be in charge of Constitutional Affairs, Building, Housing and Environment, Telephone Company Eutel NV, Energy and Water, Education, Monuments and the Airport.
"The elections are over and the people have spoken. I ask all those who are out there stirring up mischief to stop. Let us come together and work for our island of Statia. It is our land, our home; let us protect and love it. The people have spoken. It is what they wanted: no one-man government. All hands on deck for the betterment of Statia," Van Putten said.
He will be taking up a seat in the Island Council together with newcomer Richeline Leerdam. Outgoing independent Island Council Member Reuben Merkman will be returning to the Council on behalf of UPC.
