Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--It appears United People's (UP) party leader Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger will stick to his seat in Parliament instead of opting to become prime minister of the new UP/Democratic Party/Marlin-Romeo coalition.
Veteran politician Marcel Gumbs has been tipped as a possible candidate for prime minister. He has been a fixture on the St. Maarten political scene, even though he has not been in active politics for some years now.
It is expected that Heyliger will submit Gumbs' name along with the seven other minister candidates (including minister plenipotentiary) to Governor Eugene Holiday for security and integrity screenings this week.
The exact reason Heyliger would opt not to be put forward as the candidate for prime minister is not known. Some have speculated that he is not willing to have the Dutch Government probe into his life as required by the instruction issued to Governor Holiday in September.
Gumbs and fellow veteran retired politician Joseph Richardson served as informateurs for the current coalition at the end of September. He and Richardson were appointed by Governor Holiday. Their work paved the way for Heyliger's appointment as formateur for the cabinet.
Gumbs served in the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles for many years as a Member of Parliament and as State Secretary. He is currently a member of the Advisory Council of St. Maarten.
Heyliger and Gumbs have declined to comment on the situation, saying the composition of the cabinet is still under discussion with the coalition partners.
Meanwhile, former minister in the Netherlands Antilles Richard Gibson Sr.'s name has been suggested by some as the possible candidate for the position of Finance Minister. Justice Minister Dennis Richardson is being considered to continue in his post.
Attorney-at-Law Peggy Ann Brandon is said to be a possible candidate for Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI.
St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Claret Conner is a possible candidate for Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication.
A possible candidate for Education Minister is said to be Rita Gumbs, principal of M. Genevieve De Weever Primary School.
Current Labour Department Head Peggy Ann Dros-Richardson is said to be a possible candidate for Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.
