SXMElections.com

Martijn Is New Ocan Director

New Ocan Director Lionel Martijn. (Nick van der Ven photo)

THE HAGUE--Lionel Martijn (62) has been appointed director of Foundation Ocan, the organisation for Dutch Caribbean persons in the Netherlands, per January 1, 2022.

  Martijns appointment was approved during a meeting of the Supervisory Board on December 19. Martijn, who originates from Curaao, will succeed Cynthia Ortega-Martijn, whose appointment in 2020 was of a temporary nature.

  Martijn brings a lot of experience, as he has worked in several advisory and directors functions at multiple organisations Read more

Wuite Gives Maiden Speech In Parliament

Jorien Wuite (far left) is congratulated by Member of the Second Chamber Sylvana Simons of the BIJ1 party on her maiden speech while other Members of Parliament await their turn. (Suzanne Koelega photo)

THE HAGUE--It was a very special moment for Read more

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SABA/THE HAGUE:--- Saba Island Governor Jonathan Johnson paid a working visit to The Hague from Tuesday, October 5 to Friday, October 8. The main reason for Johnsons visit to the Netherlands was his attendance of the Mayors Conference of the Netherlands Association of Mayors which took place this year in Veenendaal on October 6 and October 7.
During this congress, Johnson was able to catch up with many Dutch mayors on recent developments and important subjects in areas like crisis management, safety, government administration, and the pandemic Read more

Retreat Weekend For Dp Statia Members

DP faction leader Adelka Spanner explaining the workings of the Island Council during the weekend retreat.

ST. EUSTATIUS--A weekend retreat at Gwendoline van Putten School for leading members of the Democratic Party (DP) of St. Eustatius also provided an opportunity for the party to present the existing Code of Ethics for elected and appointed officials.

Statia Churches Unite For Hurricane Preparedness

Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis (centre), PLP Island Councilwoman Rechelline Leerdam, DP Island Councilwoman Adelka Spanner and Government Information Services Protocol Officer Mercedes Lopes-Spanner with some of the attendees at the meeting

ST. EUSTATIUS--Churches in St. Eustatius came together on the evening of Tuesday, June 1, for a special prayer service to as Read more

With Wuite We Have An Ally, Says Besaril

Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Jorien Wuite (left) with Arubas Minister Plenipotentiary Guillfred Besaril at the time that they were colleagues. (File photo courtesy of the Aruba House)

THE HAGUE--On Wednesday, Aruba Minister Plenipotentiary Guillfred Besaril congratulated and praised his former colleague, newly-elected Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament of St Read more

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Ud Praises Young Talent

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — The United Democratic Party (UD) extends its congratulations to Kenyo Baly and Cay Hill, two very talented local artist.

“Kudos to you on signing on to  the record label, Pretty Boy Worldwide,” remarked the UD. 

The record label Pretty Boy Worldwide has been moldling both local artists for sometime. 

“Exposure on the world stage, building a solid professional entertainment career and recording your EP debut is a proud moment for our country,” UD stated. 

The UD continues to believe in the youth of St Read more

Ud Praises Young Talent.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Democratic Party (UD) extends its congratulations to Kenyo Baly and Cay Hill, two very talented local artist.
"Kudos to you on signing on to the record label, Pretty Boy Worldwide," remarked the UD.
The record label Pretty Boy Worldwide has been modeling both local artists for some time.
"Exposure on the world stage, building a solid professional entertainment career, and recording your EP debut is a proud moment for our country," UD stated Read more

Committee Wants Debates On Social Minimum, Statia Process

Member of the Second Chamber Jorien Wuite of the Democratic Party D66 during the digital procedural meeting of the Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations on Wednesday.

THE HAGUE--The Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament decided on Wednesday that it wants two separate debates about the social minimum in the Caribbean Netherlands, and the progress to terminate governmental intervention in St Read more

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Senator Dittrich: DonT Make St. Maarten People The Victim

Scene from the First Chamber debate on April 6.

THE HAGUE--Inhabitants of St. Maarten should not be victims of the stand-off between the St. Maarten Parliament and the Dutch government with regard to the petition that was submitted to the United Nations, said Democratic Party D66 Senator Boris Dittrich during a debate in the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday.

Results Dutch Election March 2021- Sends A Clear Message Of Discontent From The People Of Bonaire.

The Dutch election on 17th March 2021 on Bonaire results spoke volumes on the discontent from the people of Bonaire. This indisputable rejection of Dutch rule on Bonaire. The results on Wednesday shows a clear-cut message as from the 13490 eligible voters only 3076 voters turned out at the polling stations a 22%. 10, 414 did not turn out to vote, The last Dutch election in 2018 was almost the same average of 70% and so was the year before that. We Want Bonaire Back Campaign Dont go to vote as always sparked a landslide victory as the people once again united even if they were from different political parties they all united and refuse to take part in this farce dormancy.

This imposed election is a mockery or farce democratic event for our people as this Dutch parliament that embedded us in their constitution under unequal rights, consists of 150 members in The Hague, where they all agreed to this criminal act against our peoples and for one seat there is needed about 60,000 votes and on Bonaire we have 13.000 eligible voters as we make no mathematically chance Read more

New Caribbean Voice In Dutch Parliament Wuite Takes Oath

Jorien Wuite (D66) from St. Maarten takes the oath during the installation of the new Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Wednesday. (Second Chamber photo)

THE HAGUE--The Dutch Caribbean islands in general and St. Maarten in particular will have an ally in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament with Jorien Wuite of the Democratic Party D66 who took the oath on Wednesday.

  She is the first Member of the Second Chamber of St Read more

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Law Change Coming To Ease Offering Of Banking Services

Wopke Hoekstra

THE HAGUE--On Tuesday, Dutch Minister of Finance Wopke Hoekstra announced that he is preparing a law change to enable Dutch commercial banks to offer current accounts to residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba without an additional permit.

  Under the existing financial markets law, Dutch banks cannot offer euro current accounts in the Caribbean Netherlands without an additional permit. This hampers residents on the three islands, which are part of the Netherlands, from having a Dutch bank account.

  In response to written questions submitted by (then) Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Antje Diertens of Democratic Party D66, Minister Hoekstra explained that last year, he engaged in talks with the Dutch banking sector to remove obstacles that are now experienced in offering banking services in the Caribbean Netherlands.

  As a result of these talks, the minister is now preparing a legislation change so Dutch banks can offer current accounts in euros to residents of the islands Read more

Wuite Elected To Second Chamber

Jorien Wuite at the D66 debriefing session in the Second Chamber on Thursday.

THE HAGUE--Jorien Wuite, number twenty on the slate of the Read more

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SABA:--- A total of 446 valid votes were cast during the Second Chamber elections on Saba on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Raymond Knops (CDA) was the biggest vote-getter with 180 votes. The only candidate from Saba in these elections, Lysanne Charles (BIJ1) amassed 105 votes.
The elections went well. I am content with the high turn-out, said Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau Island Governor Jonathan Johnson. In these elections the voter turn-out was 49.6%. Saba has 907 eligible voters Read more

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Higher Turn-Out On Saba, Cda Most Votes

SABA–A total of 446 valid votes were cast during the Second Chamber elections on Saba on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Raymond Knops (CDA) was the biggest vote-getter with 180 votes. The only candidate from Saba in these elections, Lysanne Charles (BIJ1) amassed 105 votes.

The elections went well. I am content with the high turn-out, said Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau Island Governor Jonathan Johnson. These elections the voter turn-out was 49.6%. Saba has 907 eligible voters Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- March 8, 2021, marked International Women's Day 2021. This day was celebrated around the world in recognition of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and also brought awareness to areas that need improvement for gender equity and inclusion. This year, International Womens Day was themed Choose To Challenge.

As part of the global celebration, the University of St.Martin (USM), TelEm N.V and the Produce Wealth Revolution (PWR) Agency came together in a collaborative effort to produce Oualichi Politics - a virtual panel discussion highlighting seven (7) of the islands most influential women in the political arena Read more

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Dutch Health Insurance For Islands Students Looked At

THE HAGUE--The Dutch government is looking at ways to make it possible for students from Aruba, Curaao and St. Maarten in the Netherlands to get Dutch health insurance and to make use of the health allowance.

  Dutch Minister of Education, Science and Culture Ingrid van Engelshoven stated this in response to written questions submitted by members of the second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Antje Diertens and Jan Paternotte, both of the Read more

D66 Candidate Wuite Aims High

D66 candidate Jorien Wuite.

~ Wants to become first Second Chamber member from St. Maarten ~

THE HAGUE--Her statement that having a Caribbean member in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament is not a luxury, but a pure necessity says a lot about the drive of Democratic Party D66 candidate Jorien Wuite to become the first Member of the Second Chamber of St Read more

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Petition To Have Statue For Curaao Ex-Prime Ministers

Juancho Evertsz and Maria Liberia-Peters

THE HAGUE--Candidate Jaap Jonkers for the Christian Democratic Party CDA in the upcoming Dutch parliamentary elections wants to have statues in honour of two former Curaao prime ministers, Maria Liberia-Peters and Juancho Evertsz, in the Netherlands.

PNP got the most votes.

KEM was second.

DP is back on the ballot.

WILLEMSTAD-Trabou pa Krsou (TPK), Un Kambio pa Krsou (UKP), Krsou un Munisipio Ulandes Nobo (KUMUN), Krsou esun Miho (KEM), Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP), Movementu Kousa Prom (MKP), Partido Demokrat (DP) and Vishon will participate in Curaaos upcoming elections.

  Sixteen political parties without current representation in Parliament during last weekends pre-election had two days to get the support of 789 votes for the candidate lists.

  The eight qualifying parties mentioned all received more than the minimum number of votes Read more

Up Party Condemns Dutch ChristianDemocratic PartyS Remarks About Bryson

PHILIPSBURG To read an article that shows a Member of Parliament in The Hague questioning our Partys Leader for interacting with a Citizen of St. Maarten, and making that a focal point for discussion, at a time when our people are suffering through a global pandemic, economic decline, job loss, homelessness and an uncertain future, belittles the integrity of our elected leaders.

The UP Party issued the press release Sunday evening saying it found the article that appeared in the local newspaper portrayed an arrogant insistence by Dutch Politicians that they can dictate every action our elected officials take, without regard for the masses who they represent.

The Honorable Rolando Bryson as President of Parliament has a responsibility to all Citizens of this Country and no one should be telling grown people who they can and cannot be in contact with Read more

Three Caribbean List Pushers On D66 Slate

Photo:

Jurenne Hooi

THE HAGUE--Three persons of Dutch Caribbean descent will be pushing the slate of the Democratic Party D66 in the upcoming Dutch parliamentary elections. One of them is a born St. Maartener with St. Eustatius roots: Thomas Hellebrand.

Up Party Condemns Dutch Christian Democratic PartyS Remarks About Bryson

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – To read an article that shows aMember of Parliament in The Hague questioning our PartysLeader for interacting with aCitizen of St. Maarten,and making that a focal point for discussion,at a time when our people aresuffering througha global pandemic, economic decline, job loss, homelessness andan uncertain future, belittlesthe integrity of our elected leaders.

The UP Party issued the press release Sunday evening saying it found the article that appeared in the local newspaper portrayed an arrogant insistence by Dutch Politicians that they can dictate every action our elected officials take, without regard for the masses who they represent. 

The Honorable Rolando Bryson as President of Parliament has a responsibility to all Citizens of this Country and no one should be telling grown people who they can and cannot be in contact with Read more