Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--Developments over the past days will see the United People's (UP) party playing its role in Parliament from the opposition benches. UP party Leader Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger said the party and its Members of Parliament (MPs) "will be a formidable force to be reckoned with when it comes to the role of keeping the government in check."
"We are ready to govern, to hold in check and control the decision of the coalition government that is in the making. Our democratic system allows for different political scenarios and those who will have representation in parliament have apparently made their choice," he said.
Heyliger and UP Board thank the people of St. Maarten for exercising their democratic right by voting in Friday's Parliamentary Elections. The party gained seven of the fifteen seats in Parliament, one short of the clear majority to govern on its own.
A total of 14,882 persons voted, putting the voter turnout at 69 per cent.
Heyliger said in a press statement on Monday, "I am overwhelmed by the support received where over 6,000 voters placed their confidence in the UP Party, making UP the largest political party in the country ... UP candidates, board, members, supporters, volunteers and sympathizers all played a role in this major achievement. I am thankful for having such a great team."
The seven UP parliamentarians-elect are Heyliger, former Minister Franklin Meyers, businessman Silvio Matser, incumbent Minister Maurice Lake, businesswoman Tamara Leonard, incumbent independent MP Dr. Lloyd Richardson and former Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus.
In spite of gaining one seat more than in the September 2010 election and being the biggest party in terms of votes, the seven UP Members of Parliament will be in the opposition benches. The three other parties that earned seats in the elections: National Alliance (four seats), Democratic Party (two seats) and United St. Maarten Party (two seats) have already signed a governing accord to form a new government come October 10.
In 2010 as a new party, UP had emerged as the second largest party of the September elections that year.
