Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--United People's (UP) party leader MP Theo Heyliger confirmed on Monday evening that he will be the next Prime Minister of St. Maarten. His announcement on the Oral Gibbes programme put to rest any and all questions about whether he would be.
"I made a promise to the population of St. Maarten during the campaign. The population have a notion that if they vote for you they want to see you in a certain position. I received 1,945 votes, one third of the party [UP – Ed.] vote. I have to keep that promise. So yes, I will be the new PM of St. Maarten," Heyliger said.
He said that as PM he would foster better relationships within the Caribbean, with the sister islands of Saba and St. Eustatius as well as Bonaire, Aruba and Curaçao. Despite what can be considered harsh comments about him from certain Dutch MPs, he also foresees a trip to the Netherlands some time soon.
Heyliger also assured the general population that he would not be a PM just for the party he represents or just for the people who voted for him and his party. "Whether you supported the UP or not, as PM I will represent all St. Maarten and have the best interest of all of our people in mind at all times. The campaign is over. Once we are sworn in, it's time to work for our people, all of our people," he said.
