SXMElections.com

~ NA gets PM post; (DP) gets Parliament President ~

PHILIPSBURG--United St. Martin (US) party, Democratic Party ((DP)) and National Alliance (NA) agreed to a division of portfolios in a Governing Declaration for an "open and stable" government signed early Monday.

The coalition partners have also agreed that an operational and forensic audit will be conducted on government-owned companies to determine their overall health. The signing of the accord cements the desire of the three parties to move forward in forming the next government for St. Maarten.

According to the agreement signed, US will be getting the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Ministry of Finance and the first Vice President of Parliament.

(DP) will get the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA, President of Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary.

NA will get the Prime Minister's post, Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Public Housing and Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, Ministry of Education Culture, Youth and Sports, Minister Plenipotentiary and second vice president of parliament.

The coalition partners also decided on responsibilities for government-owned companies. US will get the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies and its affiliates; Princess Juliana International Airport Holding Company and its affiliate and St. Maarten Postal Services NV.

(DP) will get the St. Maarten Telephone Company and its group of affiliates, St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), and Windward Islands Airways.

NA will get utilities company GEBE, United Telecommunications Services (UTS) and Saba Bank Resources NV.

Parties said in their declaration that substitution of ministers when absent will be determined by the Council of Ministers.

Parties signed the declaration as it is in the best interest of St. Maarten that a government is formed as soon as possible "in order to create tranquillity amongst the population of St. Maarten."

Parties will have their governing programme finalised by October 31.