Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
If all goes according to plan, a new PLP/UPC government for St. Eustatius will be sworn in on Thursday (see related story). Leaders of the incoming coalition have stated already that it can't be "business as usual."
They want to make a fist against what is considered commanding the island from The Hague. The feeling is that Statia does not receive the same treatment as the European Netherlands and the goal is to put an end to this situation, because colonialism is a thing of the past.
The two parties have emphasised on numerous occasions that St. Eustatius never chose to become an overseas special public entity. That is true, but because both Bonaire and Saba opted for that status when the Netherlands Antilles was dismantled per 10-10-10-10 there was no viable alternative either.
In addition, the island's third referendum held last January was not conclusive due to less than 60 per cent of the electorate participating. Still, it must be said that the majority of those who did, voted for increased autonomy.
The intention now apparently is to start negotiations with The Hague quickly on this matter, but readers shouldn't hold their breath. The five-year evaluation of the current constitutional relations is due later this year and the Dutch Government probably will want to wait until then before making any commitments.
Of perhaps even greater importance is the desire for governmental stability after no fewer than three coalition changes during the past four-year parliamentary term. That certainly sounds good, but members of both parties also were involved in such.
Perhaps this is the main reason PLP leader Clyde van Putten decided not to become commissioner and instead occupy one of his party's two seats in the Island Council, thereby preventing being "left out in the cold." However, as the coalition will have a minimal majority, its longevity is hardly guaranteed.
UPC leader Reginald Zaandam did opt to join the Executive Council. This must mean he has a lot of faith in his proposed councilman Reuben Merkman, despite the fact that the latter "jumped ship" before.
As argued in this column earlier, the dualistic system on such a small scale as in the Caribbean Netherlands complicates things compared to the old days, when half of the commissioners actually had to be in the Island Council too. It means that politicians who now decide to become public administrators and govern their people run the risk of ending up "on the outside looking in."
Hopefully none of that will happen any time soon, because more political turmoil is the last thing Statia needs.
